ENGINEERS in Essex have surfaced more than three million metres of road during the summer.

Added to the past three years total and workers from Essex Highways have surfaced the equivalent of more than ten laps around the M25 in Essex or the entire area of the City of London.

Engineers have completed this year’s programme which can only take place during the summer months due to problems with rain and cold weather which impact on the process.

Ian Grundy, cabinet member for highways, said: “Many thousands of drivers and riders are already appreciating these smoother, safer, longer-lasting roads right across the county.

“Road surfacing not only fixes potholes, it prevents them forming for years afterwards.

“Keeping Essex roads moving and in a good condition is not done by accident.

“Crews work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure we keep on top of wear and weather-related damage on the more than 5,000 miles of road we maintain.

“Road surfacing is one crucial tool we use to do this.

“We are working hard with our partner companies to develop ever-more efficient techniques to ensure we can deliver more, for less, for Essex taxpayers.”

Laying the bitumen and the stones for surface dressing has now finished, but sweeping excess chippings, re-painting lines and replacing reflective studs will continue into October.

More intensive surfacing techniques and pothole fixing, which are less weather dependent, will continue into the cooler months.

A total of 404 schemes were delivered throughout the county by the teams from Essex Highways.