Why UK Roads Melt During 40°C Heatwaves

News Desk/Agencies 

London: The recent heatwave in the United Kingdom (UK ) has led to incidents of road surfaces softening and melting, prompting questions about why roads in Europe are damaged by temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius while roads in South Asia often withstand temperatures exceeding 45°C.

According to experts cited by international media, the difference lies not in construction quality but in the materials used and the engineering strategies adopted to suit local climates.

Roads in the UK are primarily designed to withstand harsh winters, frequent snowfall, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. To prevent cracking in cold weather, engineers use relatively softer bitumen (tar), which remains flexible in low temperatures.

However, when temperatures rise to around 40°C or higher, the material softens, making road surfaces vulnerable to deformation under the weight of heavy traffic.

By contrast, roads in many South Asian countries are built to endure prolonged periods of intense heat, strong sunlight, and heavy vehicle loads. These roads typically use harder grades of bitumen along with larger stone aggregates, enabling them to retain their strength and structural integrity even during extreme summer temperatures.

Experts say the contrasting performance of roads in Europe and South Asia reflects climate-specific engineering rather than differences in construction standards.

Each region selects road-building materials based on its prevailing weather conditions, ensuring the infrastructure performs effectively under local environmental stresses.