Premier Road Surfacing has utilised red asphalt as part of the recent £1.9 million refurbishment works at Leicester Market.

The scheme will see the upgrade the city's largest open-air market with the construction of a new food hall, the demolition of the old 1970s indoor market and the creation of a new public square.

The contractor sourced Aggregate Industries' popular red asphalt to create better routes in the area.

Aggregate Industries' asphalt team were initially called upon to design a solution of standard black asphalt mixed with coloured red hot rolled asphalt (HRA). However, after testing the mix, the Aggregate Industries team were not satisfied with the materials' travelling distance, recommending the use of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) instead.


Overall, the company supplied 109 tonnes of red SuperColour asphalt using a 10mm aggregate, alongside 20 tonnes each of AC, 20mm dense binder course and 10mm close graded surface course. As a result, the roads around Market Place were upgraded to provide a clean and welcoming aesthetic, while ensuring the highest standard in performance.

Charlie West, Territory Sales Manager at Aggregate Industries, said: "The prominent refurbishment of Leicester Market is the cornerstone to improving access and infrastructure in and around the city centre and clearly required a tailored approach to asphalt specification. With a selection of high performance asphalt blends at our disposal, including different colours and performance properties, we're incredibly proud that our bespoke SuperColour solution proved the winning formula in creating a cleaner, brighter road surface which will no doubt last for years to come."

Jordan Corcoran, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Premier Road Surfacing, added: "Due to the complex nature of this refurbishment programme, which involved the resurfacing of many busy roads leading into the city centre and Leicester Market, it was vital for us to work with a supplier that could meet the project's unique colour and performance specifications.

"Aggregate Industries didn't disappoint. Providing a seamless service throughout, the firm ensured a first class supply of the best coloured asphalts available, which alongside their technical and professional expertise helped us to achieve a fantastic result."

(CM/MH)