Asphalt recycling method trialled in Sunningdale

Infrared technology was used to repair a section of the north footway of the A30 London Road in Sunningdale by ‘recycling’ the existing material.

Infrared technology heats up the worn asphalt without burning the surface. It can then be reworked easily, using hand tools, and reused before a rejuvenator is added to the heated asphalt, along with additional material, as required.

When new material is added, it is heated at 170 degrees Celsius, fusing materials together. Lastly, the area is made level and compacted.

According to the contractor, the treatment increases the durability of the repairs by eliminating weaknesses created by additional joints in the surface.

With the trial deemed a success, the method has been added to VolkerHighways’ range of road treatment options for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.

Councillor Gerry Clark, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “This process is more energy-efficient, is less labour intensive, resulting in greater productivity, and reduces the need for excavation, making it safer and easier for access requirements. It is also more environmentally friendly, with zero materials waste and delivers carbon savings compared to traditional construction. There are also benefits for residents, with less noise and vibration, no dust and fewer people working on site.”

VolkerHighways operations director Kunle Kolaru said: “As part of the ongoing focus on sustainability, VolkerHighways and the council teamed up to explore how new, environmentally-friendly initiatives can be employed around the borough. This has already included trialling a new electric road sweeper in Windsor, the first of its kind to be commercially available in the country, to accompany the three fully electric vans already in use for highway inspections. We are also recycling material gathered during gully cleansing, so that it can be repurposed. In addition, we completed patching repairs on manhole covers on Castle Hill roundabout in Maidenhead, as part of an innovative mastic asphalt repair system trial.”

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