Contractors have started a three-month road surface dressing scheme across Lincolnshire.

The county council says surface dressing is an efficient way to prolong the life of Lincolnshire's roads.

Contractors spray the existing road surface with a coating of bitumen, and then spread stone chippings on top. The chippings are then rolled into the bitumen, creating a new surface.

After 24 hours, the bitumen has set, and the road is swept to remove loose chippings and reopened to traffic. Traffic driving over the new service at a reduced speed helps to further set the chippings.

The contractors will then sweep the road twice more – once after a week, and again after 13 weeks – to remove any further loose chippings. Road markings and studs will be replaced within 28 days.

Redressing roads can help extend the life of the road by between 10 and 15 years.

Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Surface dressing is a key part of the routine maintenance of our roads. It extends their life without the lengthy disruption caused by completely digging the road up and resurfacing.

"Redressed roads are more skid-resistant and have a waterproof seal, which helps prevent potholes forming. Crucially, surface dressing helps us keep roads in good condition for longer so that we can focus our resources on fully resurfacing the roads that need it most."

Roads set for surface dressing in the Grantham area include Risewood Lane, Old Somerby, on May 20 and Main Street, Belton, on May 21.

Further details of which roads are set to be resurfaced over the coming week can be found online .

Signs will also be put up on roads to advise residents and drivers of upcoming works. They are asked not to park on their road if redressing is taking place where they live.

The county council says the work is weather dependent, and so the schedule is subject to change.

The contractor's crews working on the redressing scheme are living together in temporary accommodation whilst work takes place.

As well as allowing them to be closer to the roads they are working on, the added benefit of living together means that the impact of and need for social distancing between the workers is reduced.