There has been a lot of debate over chip seal and asphalt, but I haven't seen any explanation why they must use a 10mm aggregate as the chip. Back in the day I was involved with a tennis club and we used a 1/32'' (0.8mm) aggregate (called chicken grit) over tar seal. This gave a very good, smooth surface for the game. Then it went out of fashion.

Why can't the council use a 1-to-2mm grit on residential streets? There could be some ‘bleeding' of the tar on hot days but this can be sorted out with sand.

The current 10mm aggregate is generally for highways and is terribly damaging to people if they fall on it (eg: cyclists), notwithstanding the road noise it creates. Not good for skateboards either!

The finer grades of aggregate are usually a bit more expensive and difficult to procure, but if there is a good demand for it, the quarries can tool up for it and bulk orders at a national level could reduce the overall price. Can someone explain why a much finer chip is not possible to be used without using the excuse of ‘bleeding' and supply?

Bill Cromwell, Welcome Bay.