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REA data on this year’s surface dressing season shows a 6% reduction in the treatment compared with the same period last year, despite a drier than average start and a record £7.3 billion of government funding for local roads.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has invited the 13 English highway authorities that received a red rating in its new maintenance performance system to take up free peer reviews delivered by the Local Government Association. REA responds to DfT Peer Reviews for Local Authorities 3 min read The Department for Transport (DfT) has invited the 13 English highway […]
ALARM Survey 2026 shows the increasing value of preventative maintenance A record £18.62 billion repair backlog and resurfacing cycles stretching to once every 97 years — the latest ALARM Survey makes clear that the recent uplift in funding is not yet showing through. The REA argues the answer lies in shifting decisively toward preventative treatments. 3 min […]
Following last week’s Budget, government has now confirmed a multi-year highways maintenance funding package through to 2030. From the perspective of the Road Emulsion Association (REA), this represents a decisive step forward in tackling the UK’s local road challenges. In the announcement, we’ve seen… Record baseline established: 2025 was announced as a record year for […]
On Wednesday 26 November, Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves delivered what has been described as a “Big Budget”. Relatively speaking, we’ve seen high tax, high spend announcements. And they could impact the way government and local authorities invest in our road network. From the perspective of the Road Emulsion Association, one particular new policy is […]
REA to Present at IBEF Winter Webinar 2025 Mark your calendars for Thursday 11th December 2025, when the International Bitumen Emulsion Federation (IBEF) hosts its Winter Webinar from 13:00-15:00 Central European Time (UTC+1). Kevin Maw from the Renewable Energy Association will be presenting a short paper titled “The Benefits of Encapsulation” during this free technical […]
Polymer Modified Emulsions and Surface Dressing: The Key to Preventing the Next Pothole Pandemic By Kevin Maw, Consultant & Secretary at the REA Across the UK, local road authorities are facing a mounting crisis. Repair backlogs now exceed £16.3 billion, while potholes multiply faster than budgets can address them. Once regarded as one of the […]
Preventative road maintenance plays a vital role in keeping our communities safe and connected. It is also more cost-effective than simply relying on a reactive maintenance strategy. But explaining its value to residents isn’t always straightforward. When a road appears to be in good condition, it can be puzzling to see it undergoing treatment. Without […]
Surface dressing is not new. It has been used for many years as a road maintenance treatment to protect and improve the conditions of the road surface. Incredibly, the Road Emulsion Association Limited was formed in 1928 and will be celebrating its centenary year in 2028, having represented the interests of bitumen emulsion producers over […]
The Road Emulsion Association Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Rafael Renaudeau as the new Nynas representative on the Council of the REAL. Rafael has been appointed as the Managing Director of Nynas UK and will be joining as a Director of the REA from the 1st September 2025. The REA is looking forward […]
