Amber alert: 'Melting road' closed in Cannock as council responds to residents fury over 'safety risk' in UK's third heatwave

Residents of Gorsemoor Road in Cannock were left furious after bits of tar started sticking to their tyres and footwear, causing serious damage to the road. 

Locals reported that the recent hot weather was posing a "huge safety risk" and that their tyres were "ripping up great big chunks out of the road." 

The road has been temporarily closed due to the incident. 

Addressing the incident, Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, told local media: “We are aware of the current condition of Gorsemoor Road in Cannock and have been working closely with our contractors to address the issue as a priority.

“As you’ll be aware, an amber heat health alert is currently in place. A sunny day in the 20Cs can be enough to generate 50°C on the dark asphalt road surfaces. Over the weekend, temperatures in Staffordshire are reaching over 30°C, significantly increasing the risk of surface melting on newly laid roads.

“Yesterday, we deployed a gritter to treat the road with granite dust. This helps absorb the softened bitumen and improves grip for vehicles using the road. This afternoon, a second application of granite dust has been carried out, and an inspector is also visiting site today to assess whether a temporary road closure is needed to ensure safety for all road users.

“We’d like to thank residents and drivers for their patience while we work to manage the impact of these high temperatures on the road network.”