Surface Dressing normally comes in sizes of 14mm, 10mm, and 6mm; this material can be taken from stock or direct from the storage bins by the dumper/lorry and introduced to the washing plant by a mechanical shovel. The washing plant consists of a vibrating screen, through which the aggregate passes; water is pumped though the screen washing the fine particles from the aggregate. The water is recycled via settling

pits where the heavy particles fall to the bottom and the cleaner water from the top is used again. The then clean aggregate is stored in a new stockpile, which stands on a asphalt base until dispatch.

Surface Dressing Chippings need to be clean in order to adhere to a layer of bitumen sprayed onto the road. Once the chippings have been rolled into the bitumen, this produces a new running surface for traffic and seals the old road surface against the elements. The general public does not always appreciate the process, however it is the most cost-effective way of maintaining and prolonging the life of a road.