North Northamptonshire Council and its highways maintenance provider, Kier, are beginning to ramp up the area-wide maintenance of the road network.
In his new role as Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, Cllr Macaulay Nichol has been out with the team to see the work that has been done recently.
He joined the team for a new trial of the RoadMender along Boundary Road, Wellingborough, close to where a repair had been completed on a section along Rockingham Road in Corby using the same technique. This method of pothole repair is designed to create strong, longer-lasting repairs which aims to reduce the need for repeat work while minimising disruption for road users.
The Roadmender works by using a boiler to melt bags of Elastomac, which is used to repair poor road surface areas and potholes, to produce a permanent, heat-sealed and seamless repair. A 2x1m patch takes around 8-12 minutes to complete and requires only a minimum amount of preparation, resulting in almost zero waste. Patches can also be joined together to repair larger areas of failed surfacing.
The new technology aims to reduce carbon emissions, minimise disruption to the public and traffic, and facilitate a faster repair. It repairs up to 60 sqm of road defects a day compared to 16sqm using traditional road repair methods.
“Seeing the Roadmender in action with the Highways team was eye-opening,” said Cllr Nichol. “It speeds up repairs, reduces disruption, and ensures a longer-lasting fix. We’re taking a proactive approach, not just filling the worst potholes but tackling areas before they become a bigger issue. There’s still a lot to do, but I want residents to know I’m listening, acting, and committed to improving our roads.”
Pic: North Northamptonshire Council
