Shetland Islands Council is set to begin its annual summer programme of surface dressing, with more than 80 locations across the isles identified for essential road maintenance.

The work will take place over the coming months, using warmer weather conditions to carry out repairs designed to protect roads from winter damage and extend their lifespan.

Surface dressing involves sealing the road with a layer of bitumen before applying stone chips, which are pressed into the surface to create a durable and skid resistant finish.

While not glamorous, it is one of the most effective ways to prevent water from seeping into the road, freezing and eventually forming potholes.

In practice, it is the difference between quiet maintenance now or costly repairs later.

The programme will vary in scale, with some areas requiring only short sections of work while others will see stretches of road over a mile long treated.

Among the longer sections scheduled for work are the A970 at South Gulberwick Junction, Sand Lodge to Sandwick, and the B9079 at Eela Water Junction in the North Mainland.

Further locations include the A968 at Firth Junction, West Houlland and Clousta Road in the West Mainland, along with Berry Road in Scalloway and key routes in Bressay, Yell and Unst.

Drivers will see temporary ‘loose chippings’ signs in place during and after the work, with reduced speed limits enforced to protect both vehicles and the new road surface.

It is the time of year when patience is required, even if summer still feels a long way off.

Neil Hutcheson, Executive Manager for Roads, said the programme is a vital part of keeping Shetland’s network safe and resilient.

He said:

“Our summer programme of surface dressing will soon get underway, which is an essential part of our annual roads maintenance programme.

“This work may cause some delays in areas where work is being done and we’d ask drivers to keep their speed down in any areas where stone chips have been laid.”

For communities across the isles, the work is routine but necessary, carried out during the busier spring and summer months when conditions allow it to be done properly and effectively.