2003
Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Dumfries & Galloway Council
Dumfries & Galloway Council
Dumfries & Galloway Council
Road Mesh™ Reinforced Pavement on B7052, Whauphill, Scotland
The 1m section runs over soft ground
Road Mesh was installed in 2003
No distress after 7 years of traffic
Heavy traffic uses this road to get to and from the local quarry
Challenge
The B7052 is a 22km rural road linking Garlieston and Spittal in South West Scotland, passing through Whauphill. This route is heavily used by quarry trucks, placing significant stress on the existing pavement structure. Over time, the combination of heavy axle loads and weak subgrade conditions led to severe pavement deterioration.
A one-mile section at Whauphill, constructed on soft ground, was particularly affected. The road experienced ongoing differential settlement, resulting in extensive cracking and frequent pothole formation. Dumfries and Galloway Council faced a continuous cycle of reactive maintenance, increasing costs and disrupting road users. By 2003, a long-term pavement reinforcement solution was required to reduce maintenance and improve durability.
Solution
To address the issue, a Road Mesh™ reinforced asphalt overlay was installed on the most affected section of the B7052. The existing wearing course was first planed off to expose the underlying surface. Road Mesh™ was then installed within the bituminous layers, followed by a new 70mm asphalt overlay consisting of base and wearing courses.
Road Mesh™ is specifically designed to reinforce asphalt pavements by improving load distribution and reducing tensile stress. The system enables the overlay to behave as a cohesive structural layer, absorbing horizontal stresses caused by heavy traffic and spreading loads across a wider area. This significantly reduces the impact on weak subgrade soils and prevents further pavement failure.
With its high tensile strength at low strain and unique three-dimensional geometry, Road Mesh™ enhances aggregate interlock, improving load transfer and shear resistance. Originally developed to control reflective cracking, it has proven highly effective in extending pavement life and reducing maintenance requirements.
Following installation, the reinforced section of the B7052 demonstrated a substantial improvement in performance. After seven years of continuous heavy quarry traffic, there was no evidence of cracking or potholes. The need for ongoing maintenance was effectively eliminated, delivering long-term cost savings for the local authority.
Dumfries and Galloway Highway Maintenance Foreman, Gus McCleary, highlighted the success of the project, stating that the solution “has saved me a fortune.”
Road Mesh™ has been widely used across Europe as a proven pavement reinforcement solution, increasing the lifespan of road infrastructure and reducing whole-life costs. This case study demonstrates its effectiveness in stabilising roads built on soft ground and subjected to heavy traffic loading.
