A REVOLUTIONARY new JCB machine bought by Coventry Council’s highways department can repair potholes in just eight minutes and will be a ‘game-changer’ in maintaining the city’s roads.
The PotholePro has been working on city roads in recent days after the council took part in a trial demonstration on Abbey Road last summer.
During the demo, the machine repaired more than 100 square metres of patches in the road in just two hours – a job that usually takes four days.
The JCB PotholePro breaks the road and cleans the hole, without the need for any hand working so a permanent repair can be carried out.
Coun Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services at Coventry City Council, said: “Freezing conditions affect our roads during winter and have a big impact on the roads so innovations like this are really important.
“The highways team is really pleased about the way it is working. It’s really exciting to see it operating.”
Coun Richard Brown, Cabinet Member for Finance, added: “It is a game-changer, is going to pay off in the long run and is a great example of how we are using innovation in the way we provide services.”
The development of the JCB PotholePro has been personally led by JCB chairman Lord Bamford.
He said: “Potholes really are a blight on our nation and the solution we have developed with the JCB PotholePro offers a quick and permanent fix.
“I’m delighted Coventry City Council is joining other authorities across the UK in investing in the JCB PotholePro.”
Tests with local authorities and contractors show the JCB PotholePro can complete a pothole repair in less than eight minutes – equivalent to up to 250sq metres per day and 700 potholes per month.
Nick Beardmore, one of the council’s PotholePro operators, added: “It’s a powerful machine and really does make a massive difference.”
- Which roads in Coventry and the surrounding area do you think are in the worst condition? Where are the biggest potholes in the city? Email your views to [email protected]
