Crossword Genius

Road surface that could bring a snake to a stop (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asphalt

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'road surface' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'snake to a stop' is the wordplay.
'snake' becomes 'asp' (asp is a kind of snake).
'to a stop' becomes 'halt' (halt can mean to stop).
'asp'+'halt'='ASPHALT'

'that could bring a' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for asphalt that I've seen before include "Bitumen" , "What you see on roads" , "Substance used in roofing and paving" , "Mixture of tar and gravel used in road surfaces" , "Bituminous material for roofing, paths etc" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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