HMS Decorative Surfacing Limited

Leicester, nestled in the heart of England, has long been celebrated for its historical significance, being the final resting place of King Richard III and boasting a cultural heritage that spans centuries. While its historical charm and cultural heritage continue to draw tourists from around the globe, the city is also a bustling business centre. Beyond the medieval landmarks and archaeological treasures, Leicester also attracts thousands of commuters daily and relies heavily on a well-maintained and efficient transportation network.Recognising the crucial role that roads play in connecting the city’s historical landmarks, thriving businesses, and residential neighbourhoods, Leicester City Council has undertaken a comprehensive initiative of essential road repairs.The council partnered with HMS, a well-known surfacing contractor with over 30 years of expertise in repairing road surfaces all over the country. This collaboration signified a crucial step in the city’s journey to improve its roads and ensure a safe and successful commute to and from the city. PROJECT SCOPEPermanent joint or crack and pothole repairsHAPAS/BBA-approved specialist materialVarious roads in and around the city centre:Catherine Steet with the junction of Ulverscroft Road, including the roundaboutWatermead WayRedhill Way flyover and roundaboutPalmerston WayGlenfrith WayGroby Road, A50Traffic management OBJECTIVESExtend the road surface life in and around Leicester city centre with permanent road repairs that will last for a minimum of 10 years.Reduce the disruption to residents, commuters, and businesses with no costly road resurfacing works.Improving road safety and minimise vehicle wear and tear for all road users.RESULTS16,000 linear metres of joint and crack repairs.Circa 50 pothole repairs with 5 tonnes of HAPAS/BBA-approved specialist material.Completed in just 11 nights. Minimal disruption to residents, businesses, and commuters.Permanent road repairs increase the longevity of the road surface by 10 years or more, reducing the need for resurfacing work.HMS’s In-house traffic management to minimise disruption, reduce project costs, and ensure on-the-job flexibility – which is how we completed it in record time.These accomplishments stand as a testament to the strategic planning and seamless execution of Leicester City’s road repairs. IMPLEMENTATION#1. Traffic Management for Seamless RepairsHMS not only worked nights to ensure minimal disruption to drivers, but also our in-house traffic management ensured a flexible, but well-thought-out plan to minimise disruptions during surface repairs. This flexibility reduced costs for Leicester City Council and ensured the project was finished ahead of schedule. #2. Overbanding to Address Road Joint and CracksOverbanding is used as a targeted solution to address joints and cracks that may have started to appear on road surfaces. The technique involves applying a durable material over the damaged areas creating a seamless and protective layer that enhances the structural integrity of the road.By HMS addressing joints and cracks using this technique, Leicester City Council is proactively preventing further road surface deterioration, reducing the likelihood of more extensive and costly repairs in the future. #3. Pothole Repairs with HAPAS/BBA-Approved MaterialsHMS filled potholes that had appeared on the road surface with materials approved by the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) and the British Board of Agrément (BBA). This ensures that the repairs meet rigorous standards for quality, durability, and safety. 4.      Hot-applied Sealing for LongevityHot-applied material was laid by HMS to create a weather-resistant barrier on the repaired surfaces. It protects against water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and other environmental factors that can compromise the integrity of the road. The application extends the lifespan of the repairs and road surface, contributing to the overall resilience of Leicester’s road infrastructure and reducing road resurfacing costs. 5.      Quality Assurance“Leicester City Council regularly inspects the quality and effectiveness of the road surface repairs and we are very pleased with the quality of workmanship from HMS. The team have worked efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to road users and has completed all road repairs in a timely manner.” Jamie Long, Senior Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City CouncilThe collaboration between Leicester City Council and HMS has resulted in safer roads for residents, commuters, business owners, and tourists who travel in and out of the City Centre. By employing HMS, the project was completed in just 11 nights, meaning minimal disruption to road users. In total, 16,000 linear metres and circa 50 potholes (5 tonne) were repaired, using HAPAS/BBA-approved materials. “The work that HMS has completed not only ensured the safety of our roads but also the longevity of our roads. These road repairs have a lifespan in excess of 10 years, reducing the costly exercise of undergoing road resurfacing works, not to mention the heavy disruptions to road users.”Jamie Long, Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City Council

In the pursuit of creating inviting and durable outdoor spaces, the recent resin bound paving project at David Lloyd, Rugby, stands out as a testament to innovation and aesthetic appeal.Here we delve into the details, highlighting the challenges, solutions, and the stunning results achieved.PROJECT OVERVIEWSector: Fitness and LeisureLocation: Houghton, RugbyProduct: Resin Bound PavingColour: Oyster Pearl & CappuccinoRESULTSVisually StunningThe resin bound surface provides a sleek and modernappearance, contributing to the overall appeal of thenew leisure facility.DurabilityThe high-quality materials used ensure the longevity of thepaving, even under heavy usage and varying weatherconditions.Low MaintenanceThe easy-to-clean surface minuses maintenance requirements, allowing staff to focus on the memberexperience.SafetyThe slip-resistant nature of resin bound surfacing enhancesthe safety for members, particularly during wet conditions.Download PDF case study

HMS was appointed to lay specialised resin bound paving to the communal gardens, car park, and cycle lane. PROJECT OVERVIEW Sector: Housing DevelopersLocation: Ashford, Kent Product: Resin Bound PavingColour: Steel Grey & Golden Amber Application: Right-of-way cycle lane, car park demarcation, communal gardens, and footpaths.Area: Approx. 1,000 m2RESULTS 36 tonnes of aggregate In total, we laid 36 tonnes of aggregate and used 340 resin kits to deliver beautiful communal gardens that will continue to look great for years to come.Visually Appealing The cycle lane and car park demarcation look stunning with the contrast of the steel grey and golden amber.What they said“HMS kept us informed at every stage of the project, which enabled us to communicate with the residents and arrange alternative parking.“Their efficiency and workmanship ensured the job was completed in a timely manner and the team left the site clean and tidy.” Hayley, Concierge Victoria Point

The beginning of August saw temperatures hit record highs for the second time this year and in a matter of weeks of the previous heatwave … but that didn’t stop us, we simply switched to working nights!

July saw us complete various projects, but the ones that stand out for us, are the preventative highways maintenance work for Leicester City Council and the hard landscaping of some communal gardens, a car park and a cycle lane for a new housing development in Ashford, Kent.

It’s not very often we can say we’ve laid 2,600 metres of resin surface dressing in one job! But this month we can … and what a result!Other highlights included 120 metres of resin bound paving to access roads and shared driveways for Davidson Homes and a resin bound Dementia Garden at the Evington Centre, Leicester General Hospital.

We had another busy month in May, which saw us being a part of some exciting projects. From new housing developments overlooking the Blenheim Estate and Wembley Stadium to cycling schemes and assisted living projects.

April saw us visit the length and breadth of the country, leaving happy customers in our wake, so here is a small project selection we accomplished in April …

With the benefit of longer daylight hours, our decorative teams have been very busy throughout March making the most of the better conditions!

In January 2024, Oxford City Council gave the green light to a new £106,000 walking and cycling project that will provide a network of routes across the city to encourage drivers out of their cars!This approach aims to separate different modes of transport and minimise interaction by creating distance between cyclists and motorists. This makes the alternative to driving a more attractive option, which in turn decreases the number of drivers on the roads.Oxford City Council appointed ODS to manage the project who then selected HMS Decorative Surfacing to install the high friction or anti-skid surfacing for the new walking and cycle network.ResultsBBA HAPAS Type 1BBA-approved installer laying Type 1 cold-applied high friction surfacing to 600m² of cycle network routes.Safer for the publicBy installing high friction surfacing to the new walking and cycle network, it has created a safer, more attractive network of routes across Oxford.Zero carbon OxfordThe new cycle routes will significantly improve walking and cycling numbers across the city helping Oxford to meet the council’s strategic objective of becoming a Zero carbon city.“We were looking for a BBA-approved installer with a proven track record and HMS exceeded our expectations. Their experience, accreditations and portfolio truly speak for themselves.”Sam Bowler, Contracts Manager, ODSWhy high friction surfacing?The primary goal of the new walking and cycle network is to enhance safety, and therefore, render the scheme more attractive to those who previously avoided cycling due to safety concerns.High friction surfacing significantly improves road safety. Firstly, it improves control by increasing grip, reducing the risk of accidents caused by sliding or skidding.Secondly, it reduces stopping distances by allowing cyclists to stop quickly and safely helping to prevent potential accidents.Finally, it helps maintain separation between two modes of transport. The colour difference demarcates the walking and cycle lane, ensuring drivers stay out, while alerting them to the change in road surface if they accidently cross into it.Why HMS Decorative Surfacing?HMS have more than 30 years of experience laying high friction hot and cold-applied surfacing. What’s more, we are a BBA-approved installer and use HAPAS BBA Type 1 approved surfacing system for all anti-skid installations.“HMS Decorative Surfacing has played a crucial role in helping Oxford City Council encourage drivers to leave their cars behind. By installing high friction surfacing to the new walking and cycle network, they have created a safer, more attractive network of routes across Oxford.”“With over 30 years experience and a track record of excellence, HMS is a BBA-approved installer using only the highest quality HAPAS BBA Type 1 approved bauxite for anti-skid installations. Their impressive portfolio and certifications were key factors in our decision.”“The new network now covers 600m² of Oxford City Centre, including key areas such as the Oxford Leisure Centre and Roger Dudman Way and has significantly improved walking and cycling safety across the city.”Sam BowlerContracts Manager, ODS