Motoring, and specifically motorcycling could soon become a lot safer due to a new type of manhole cover designed to overcome the problem of skidding due to the current metal covers being worn. The cover, called GripTop, has been developed by Europe’s biggest manufacturer of access covers and gratings for roads, Saint-Gobain Pipelines.

The new cover, which can be matched to the surrounding road surface colour, is made with a special aggregate and bonding agent and has been extensively tested in order to ensure that it maintains its grip over time, and isn’t worn down by high volumes of traffic. It can be particularly useful on bends and near traffic lights, where grip is important.