DOI apologises for inconvenience caused by 'emulsion bleed' on Laxey Prom

Jet-patching work left emulsion spills along length of road last week

The Department of Infrastructure has apologised for any 'inconvenience caused' after emulsion applied on Laxey Promenade last week bled along the road surface.

A spokesperson for the department, responding to concerns raised by residents, has confirmed that the issue was likely caused by 'excessive moisture in the cracked road surface'.

Workers undertook jet-patching along the stretch of road last week, which is 'a proven process that is quick and cost-effective with minimal disruption to road users' for repairing potholes.

The method 'involves the high-pressure surface injection of liquid emulsion and small aggregate chippings which are blown into the pothole; this is followed by a final coat of dry chippings to help prevent the wet emulsion from sticking to tyres and shoes.'

However, some people took to social media last week to complain about 'wet pools of bitumen' left along the length of the promenade following the work.

Comments included those who saw shoes ruined and those whose pets were left with the material on their paws.

In a statement, the DOI told Manx Radio: "Bleeding of the emulsion appears to have occurred. This can occasionally happen and is caused by excessive moisture in the pothole/cracked surface or rainfall during the process.

"The only way to limit the effect of emulsion-bleeding would be to close the road to all users while repairs are carried out and for the time it takes to fully cure. 

"As this would have covered the full length of the promenade, a decision was taken not to close the road in order to minimise disruption for residents, visitors and businesses."

They added that workers 'responded quickly to concerns raised by a local business regarding emulsion being carried into their premises and cleaned it up straight away', and that the department 'apologises for any inconvenience caused'.

A photograph taken yesterday (15 July) shows the road is now in a good condition.

(Credit: DOI)

WET CONDITIONS

The work in Laxey was undertaken on 10 July, in wet conditions.

That's despite an update published on the DOI's Facebook page which stated: "All surface dressing planned for today (Wednesday 10 July) has had to be postponed due to the prevailing damp conditions. A plan for tomorrow will be circulated shortly."

Manx Radio asked for further clarification as to why the work in Laxey was not postponed.

In a statement, the DOI said: "The work that was postponed last week involved surface dressing, which is a programme that takes place in the summer as it must be dry.

"Surface dressing is a different process to jet-patching which takes place all year round."

(PHOTO: Work being undertaken on 10 JULY - CREDIT: Janelle Quayle, Facebook)

Q&A

In response to our original questions, a DOI spokesperson provided the following information:

What’s the work?

The Department of Infrastructure recently undertook improvement works involving pothole repairs on Laxey Promenade. The method used was jet-patching (explanation below) - a proven process that is quick and cost-effective with minimal disruption to road users.

What’s gone wrong?

Bleeding of the emulsion appears to have occurred. This can occasionally happen and is caused by excessive moisture in the pothole/cracked surface or rainfall during the process.

The only way to limit the effect of emulsion-bleeding would be to close the road to all users while repairs are carried out and for the time it takes to fully cure. 

As this would have covered the full length of the promenade, a decision was taken not to close the road in order to minimise disruption for residents, visitors and businesses.

What’s been done to rectify issues?

Workers responded quickly to concerns raised by a local business regarding emulsion being carried into their premises and cleaned it up straight away.

Some minor staining was evident on the promenade footway. This will be cleaned with detergent and high-pressure water by the road sweeper, which is due to visit Laxey today (16 July) to sweep the loose chippings.

All the repairs have now cured and should not continue to cause an issue.

The Department has engaged with businesses, residents and the local authority in connection with the issue and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

What’s jet-patching?

The process involves the high-pressure surface injection of liquid emulsion and small aggregate chippings which are blown into the pothole; this is followed by a final coat of dry chippings to help prevent the wet emulsion from sticking to tyres and shoes.

Once the dry chippings have been laid, the area is then compressed with a vibrating plate. After the treatment has had time to cure (2-3 days) a road sweeper is used on the road to remove any loose chippings.