2022
HENLEY ON THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM
Oxfordshire County Council
Aggregate Industries UK Ltd
Triplex Progrid
Asphalt Reinforcement in Henley-on-Thames Extending Pavement Life on New Street with Mactex C7 10s
Existing surface planed off & awaiting the installation of MacTex® C7.
MacTex® C7 is installed by specially designed Triplex Progrid plant machine
Surfacing works over the top of installed MacTex® C7 10s.
Challenge
New Street in Henley-on-Thames is a key transport route, connecting the northwest of the town across Henley Bridge over the River Thames Õ¤Õ¥ÕºÕ« the eastern side. As one of the main arterial roads, it is subjected to consistently heavy traffic loads, leading to accelerated wear and deterioration of the carriageway.
The road is historically significant and constrained by stone setts along both sides, which limit reconstruction options and require a sensitive yet effective pavement rehabilitation approach. By July 2022, the asphalt surface had reached a critical condition, with extensive failure requiring urgent carriageway maintenance.
Oxfordshire County Council initiated resurfacing works but identified a major risk associated with standard asphalt overlays, reflective cracking. Without intervention, cracks from the underlying layers would propagate through the new surface, reducing pavement life and increasing long-term maintenance costs. To address this, the Council sought a proven asphalt reinforcement solution capable of extending pavement lifespan and improving performance under heavy traffic conditions.
Solution
Oxfordshire County Council appointed Aggregate Industries as the main surfacing contractor, who partnered with Maccaferri’s specialist installation contractor, Triplex Progrid, to deliver an advanced asphalt reinforcement system.
Mactex C7 10s geocomposite asphalt reinforcement was selected for the project due to its high-performance, multifunctional properties. Fully compliant with BS EN 15381:2008, the product acts as a reinforcement geogrid, stress-relieving membrane, and interlayer barrier, making it an ideal solution for preventing reflective cracking in asphalt pavements.
The geocomposite consists of a high-strength glass fibre woven knitted geogrid bonded to a nonwoven geotextile, creating a durable reinforcement layer that enhances load distribution and pavement resilience. When installed beneath the asphalt overlay, Mactex C7 10s significantly reduces pavement fatigue and delays crack propagation, ensuring a longer-lasting road surface.
The use of asphalt reinforcement on New Street delivers multiple long-term benefits. It extends pavement design life by up to five times, reduces maintenance frequency, and lowers whole-life costs. Additionally, by minimising the need for repeated resurfacing works, the solution contributes to a reduced carbon footprint, supporting more sustainable infrastructure management.
Mactex C7 10s is widely used across highways, airports, and industrial pavements, and its successful application in Henley-on-Thames highlights its effectiveness in high-traffic urban environments where durability, heritage sensitivity, and cost-efficiency are essential.
Used Products
