RAC deals with record number of third-quarter pothole breakdowns, but there are solutions…
The poor condition of Britain’s local roads has led to the RAC dealing with the highest number of pothole-related breakdowns it has seen in any third quarter since it began recording this data in 2006. RAC patrols went to the rescue of 5,978 drivers from July to September for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs […]
Fife Council fighting the battle against potholes
Fife Council is fighting the battle against potholes with a new road surfacing process. Working with COLAS Ltd, the council is using a microsasphalt surfacing technique on 28 roads in Cowdenbeath, Anstruther, Pittenweem and St Andrews. The aim is to use the preventative treatment on roads to seal the surface, prevent potholes and prolong the […]
Transport Secretary’s insight into ‘money-saving’ pothole fixer
The Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper, was given a live demonstration of a machine which is helping fix Britain’s roads and help contribute towards ending the ‘scourge’ of potholes. Mr Harper was shown the JCB Pothole Pro during a visit to the company’s Derbyshire engine plant and saw for himself how the machine […]
Trial of new approach to fixing potholes in Essex
A new method of filling in potholes and cracks in roads is being trialled in Essex. Essex Highways is trialling the new method in Colchester and Tendring. At the moment, the council repairs potholes by cutting out the surrounding road surface. Hot asphalt is then poured into the defect and compacted to fix it. Roadmender […]
Pothole breakdowns up by a third – AA
The AA is reporting it’s dealing with a third more pothole-related breakdowns than it did two years ago. The Daily Telegraph quotes Chief Executive Jakob Pfaudler, welcoming a promised £8bn in spending on pothole repairs, saying it would be appreciated by his customers. There were around 35,000 pothole-related breakdowns in 2021, but more than 50,000 […]
Warwickshire County Council to change pothole reporting
Warwickshire County Council has declared it wants to make changes to the system for reporting issues in the pipeline The current system allows for members of the public to report potholes through a live web page on the council’s website, pinpointing the problem area or areas on a map. It opens by laying out anticipated outcomes […]
Fife Council spends £3.5m on extra road maintenance
Fife Council is investing an additional £3.5 million to help fix the county’s roads, saying it is making good progress in tackling a backlog of repairs. The additional money will be used to help deal with a backlog of repairs that built up through last winter. Fife’s entire road network was inspected and more than […]
Kiely’s praises road surfacing innovation as “fantastic addition” to the UK’s road network
Road surfacing and surface treatments company Kiely Bros has released a video showing off its latest innovation in road pothole repairs and road surface dressing. The company has invested in bringing the Multipatcher technology from Australia. The machine can simultaneously handle all road maintenance tasks, from cleaning and preparing potholes, to delivering high-quality finished road […]
MPs call for ring-fencing for local road maintenance again
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Better Roads has issued a report calling for central government to re-instate effective ring-fencing and multi-year settlements for local road maintenance. The report draws on a review of the Pothole Action Fund (2015/16-2020/21), which says it was a successful policy which contributed to marked improvements in the overall structural conditions […]
New Surrey research promises the end of potholes to create safer roads
A new thermo-active road solution could help prevent potholes caused by freezing and thawing in the winter, according to researchers at the University of Surrey. A new project that will test the new approach has been awarded a £800,000 research fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering. The outcomes could improve how major roads across […]
