Abstract: A bitumen emulsion of anionic or cationic type having a breaking additive is disclosed. The breaking additive comprises a water-in-oil emulsion wherein an aqueous solution of a substance which has a neutralizing effect upon the bitumen emulsion when added thereto is dispersed in an oil continuous phase.The bitumen emulsion is prepared bya) preparing an aqueous solution of a neutralizing substance,b) emulsifying the aqueous solution of a) in oil to form an invert emulsion, andc) mixing the invert emulsion of b) into a bitumen emulsion of anionic or cationic type.The bitumen emulsion can be used as a binder in road building or road maintenance or in construction work.