Council trials pothole repair machine on Leicestershire's roads
A machine is being trialled on Leicestershire roads to see if it can help improve the efficiency of repairing potholes.
Leicestershire County Council says it has fixed more than 5,000 potholes on the county’s road network in the last six months.
And highway teams are now putting the JCB Pothole Pro machine through its paces to see if it can make road maintenance jobs even more effective.
The trial comes as the council continues its extensive programme of road repairs, with urgent fixes completed within two-and-a-half days.
The machine being trialled removes and cleans the road surface ready for maintenance crews to repair the surface.
Dan Harrison, leader at County Hall, said: "Keeping Leicestershire's roads in the best condition possible is a priority for us, which is why we're keen to explore innovative ways of working.
"This trial will help us understand whether the JCB Pothole Pro can make a real difference and support the work our highways teams are already doing across the county.
Andrew Hamilton-Gray, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We’re always looking at how we can improve the way we maintain our road network, whether that's through new technology, new techniques, new materials or finding more efficient ways of working.
"Residents rightly expect us to look after the roads and spend taxpayers' money wisely.
"We owe it to them to test new ideas, embrace innovation and make sure we're using the best tools available to keep Leicestershire moving."
The machine's performance will be assessed alongside existing maintenance methods before any decision is made to invest council funds.