Surface Dressing & Encapsulation

Please give further detail on the following procedures:



1.) 6mm surface dressing & encapsulation. What does encapsulation involve, the products used and the cost of the product used to encapsulate?



2.) Please give information on how the sites the product Kielylock is used on and how the benefits of this product are measured? What is the cost of this worked out by cost/metre sq covered?



3.) Please give information on how the sites the product Reclamite is used on and how the benefits of this product are measured? What is the cost of this worked out by cost/metre sq covered?

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. 

1. Encapsulation refers to a surface treatment applied over newly laid surface dressing. Its purpose is to bind the stone chippings, reduce the risk of loose aggregate, improve waterproofing, and enhance the durability of the treatment.

On the Lincolnshire County Council network, the encapsulation process involves applying a specialist spray-applied surface sealant following the laying of surface dressing. The product currently used is KielyLock, a bitumen emulsion-based surface encapsulant.

The cost of applying KielyLock is typically in the range of £1.50 to £2.00 per square metre, including materials and application.

This treatment is used as part of a preventative maintenance strategy to extend the life of the carriageway and reduce future maintenance requirements

2. KielyLock is used on selected sites across the Lincolnshire County Council highway network as part of our preventative maintenance programme. Sites are typically chosen based on a combination of condition survey data, visual inspections, and engineering assessment. Treatment locations are prioritised where the surface is structurally sound but showing early signs of wear, oxidation, or fretting, in order to extend the serviceable life of the carriageway.

The benefits of Kielylock are measured over the pavement asset lifecycle:

•            Reduction in pothole formation and reactive maintenance interventions

•            Extension of pavement life, delaying the need to more expensive treatments such as resurfacing or reconstruction

•            Cost effectiveness comparing the treatment per m2 to alternative interventions

•            Minimised disruption, fast application process which reduces traffic management times

•            Environmental impact, with consideration of emissions per square metre compared to heavier maintenance treatments.

We can confirm that Lincolnshire County Council does not hold recorded information that calculates or quantifies the cost-benefit of KielyLock in terms of cost per square metre covered versus benefits gained.

While general industry knowledge suggests such treatments may offer lifecycle cost savings, extend asset life, and reduce maintenance interventions, we do not hold any formal or recorded analysis that expresses these benefits in a cost-per-square-metre format.

3. Lincolnshire County Council does not use Reclamite on its highway network. As such, we do not hold any recorded information regarding the sites it is used on, how the benefits of the product are measured or any costs associated with its application.