Moray roads surface dressing programme.

Motorists in Moray are being urged to take extra care over the next few weeks as roads in the area undergo surface dressing as part of Moray Council’s annual road maintenance programme.

Sections which are being dressed will be marked with signs and drivers will be advised to keep their speed to within 20mph both for their own safety and the safety of road workers.

Around 50 miles of rural roads and urban streets will be surface dressed over the next two months.

The work has to be carried out during the summer months when the road surface is generally warmer and drier.

Surface dressing involves laying a layer of bitumen and applying stone chippings which are rolled in.

Loose chippings can result in broken windscreens and damage to paintwork but the risk can be minimised if motorists keep their speed down while driving over newly dressed surfaces.

Driving over loose chippings can also affect traction and there is a danger of losing control of vehicles that are being driven too fast.

A council spokesman said: “Redressing prevents roads from deteriorating from wear through traffic and weather and also improves surface texture.

“The surface redressing programme takes a great deal of planning and co-ordination and we are extremely grateful to the motoring public for their co-operation and patience while we carry out these operations.”