I have to update your impression by praising Powys CC who do a magnificent job in all weathers. as compared to neighbouring Herefords where it seems to be skimped.

Totally agree.

Going to work, as soon as I cross the border in england and Shropshire CC area the gritting stops!!

I have to update your impression by praising Powys CC who do a magnificent job in all weathers. as compared to neighbouring Herefords where it seems to be skimped.

They keep their roads in good nick too- Hereford CC could remove the sign on the A44 going east as it's bl**dy obvious when you've crossed over from Wales because the road surface goes from good to cr*p immediatley.

A representative from South Lanarkshire Council phoned me this morning and advised me that some of the road depots within the area add a substance called SAFECOAT. This is the trade name but it's a sugar based compound which is designed to adhere to the road surface. Interestingly, I travel through South Lanarkshire on my way to work while my wife travels to Glasgow. Both our cars are candy white but it's only the Yeti that had the tar stains. Still waiting for Glasgow City Council to get back to me but it may well be that they could be one of the councils that don't use the additive.

Hope this clears the mystery.

Jim

I'm probably wrong, but I've a distant memory that hot ashpalt gives a harder wearing surface than tar based aggegrate mixes, with higher melting points.

My thoughts are that LAs are using "cheaper" tar for repairs, so giving rise to these spots.

I seem to think current road repairs last far shorter than older roads - are motorways surfaced to a different level?

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will shoot me down

Never known tar to melt when it's -5c.

The BBC did a story on SAFECOAT in 2010 when Wiltshire Council were the first authority to trial the application. According to their spokesman SAFECOAT is 90 per cent less corrosive that ordinary ordinary road grit. I have reservations about this statement, in fact I'll take it with a pinch of salt!

Jim

Down here in Somerset the gritters have seldom been out but both my Yeti and my wife's white Suzuki have been covered, literally, in black specs all along the sides and the tailgate. Now although the gritters have seldom been out, the roads have deteriorated significantly due to the amount of rain and floods. This has left large deposits of gravel and debris which I am convinced is responsible for depositing tar all over the cars. White spirit has not easily removed the deposits but a wash down of my wife's tailgate from roof down to bumper, including the screen, with petrol worked with minimal effort. Under these circumstances I would not recommend the use of a clay bar due to grit embedded in the tar deposits. Needless to say a good quality polish is required after the petrol treatment.

I did manage to get my spots off with white spirit then wax polish.

I have not taken my Yeti out on any salted roads (use the wife's car for that), and the roads here are in a very good condition, but it was still covered. Still a bit of a mystery.