A NEW method of surface treatment is going to be trialled on a section of Minehead sea front road next week.

Somerset Council’s highways team will start working on Tuesday (September 12) in Warren Road and Seaward Way.

They will be trialling a product called RhiNOPHALT, which is a natural spray to seal cracks and therefore reduce penetration of water, salt, and other contaminants while improving the road’s resistance to wear.

The council expects it will deliver a 94 per cent saving on carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional surface dressing.

The work will last for three nights and a road closure will be in force between 8 pm and 6 am each night to allow it to be completed safely and efficiently.

During the road closure, the works will be phased to maintain access to businesses and properties and on-site guidance will be given and emergency services granted access throughout the contract.

Parking and loading along the sections of affected road will be suspended during the closure times and the council has asked that all vehicles should be removed before 8 pm each day.

Pedestrian access will also be maintained during the closure and guidance will be given to ensure nobody walks on any newly laid surface.

The roads will be open as normal outside of the closure times.

Somerset executive Cllr Mike Rigby said: “It is really important that we trial new and innovative methods of repair and maintenance of our highway network.

“We constantly seek new methods that can save money, cut carbon emissions, and improve road surface quality, and this trial is part of that drive.

“It is important that this work is carried out now so that the road surface can be safer for road users during the upcoming autumn and winter.

“There will be some short-term disruption, but the team will be working overnight to minimise this. Please plan ahead.”

A diversion will be in place, the full details of which will be available nearer the time here.