Extreme temperatures melted a busy road during Monday's heatwave. Broadstone Road in Stockport was turned into sticky, black goo as the heat liquified the asphalt.
One onlooker said it sounded like cars were 'driving through water' and described how his feet sank into the soft road surface. They added: "It sounded like it had just rained and the cars were driving through the puddles.
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"It was that soft your feet got stuck in it if you walked across. The tarmac was all stuck in the treads of my tyres."
Temperatures hit a record 34.3C in Greater Manchester today - beating the previous record of 33.9C from July 25, 2019. Roads in the sun can get as hot as 50C, and at these temperatures, they begin to become soft, according to the Road Surface Treatments Association. This is because the road surface absorbs heat and this builds up during the day.
When temperatures soar some councils grit the roads to prevent them from melting. Speaking last week Howard Robinson, chief executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association, said: "Drivers may be bemused to see the gritters out in the summer when they are usually spreading grit and salt during the winter.
"However, this is effective standard practice for keeping a road surface safe during extreme prolonged hot temperatures. Asphalt is a bit like chocolate – it melts and softens when it’s hot and goes hard and brittle when it’s cold – it doesn’t maintain the same strength all year round."
Coun Grace Baynham, Stockport council's cabinet member for highways, parks and leisure services, said: "The UK – and of course Stockport – is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented hot weather with a Met Office red weather warning issued. Unfortunately, the extreme heat has affected recently treated sections of our highway across the borough.
"As a result, we have added extra hardcore to the surface, so motorists will be able to continue to use the roads affected."
Read more on the heatwave:
- Farm hits back at rumours donkey 'collapsed' when giving children rides in the heat
- UK heatwave LIVE weather, travel and school closures updates with red extreme heat warning in place
- Two foodhalls to close tomorrow due to 'mad temperatures'
- Manchester rail routes to CLOSE completely tomorrow due to heatwave
- Bury Metrolink line suspended and delays reported due to heatwave
