ROAD delays are expected as a programme of surface dressing gets underway in North Yorkshire this month.

Roads in the Richmondshire and Harrogate areas will be treated during the process, which involves spraying bitumen onto the surface and then covering it with chippings.

It helps to waterproof roads, makes them skid-resistant and can extend their life by up to ten years – but is not always favoured by motorists.

Executive member for highways Cllr Don Mackenzie said: “We know surface dressing is not popular with some drivers, mainly because of the loose chippings, which are an inevitable part of the process.

“However, the speed of the operation and its longer-term benefits – as well as the short time motorists are inconvenienced – are important factors.

“The process is comparatively low-cost at just a fifth of the price of resurfacing, which means we can treat a much larger proportion of the road network each year, preventing the need for much more expensive work later.”

He added: “Loose chippings may initially be a problem and that's why we put in place a 20mph speed limit during the early life of the dressing.”

In Richmondshire, the locations include Richmond, Scorton, Brompton-on-Swale, the A684 between Wensley and Leyburn and various locations in the Upper Dales.

The Harrogate programme includes Boroughbridge, Pannal, South Stainley, North Stainley, Grewelthorpe, Hutton Conyers and other villages.

The locations and closures are on an interactive map at northyorks.gov.uk/roadworks.