New improvements to boost Derbyshire’s pothole repair service

Thermal road repairs are a new technique being rolled out for town centre and residential streets in Derbyshire (Credit: DCC)

Derbyshire County Council is stepping up efforts to tackle potholes across the county, with new treatments, techniques and equipment designed to improve the speed, quality and durability of repairs.

The move is part of the county council’s continued investment into Derbyshire’s highways, as part of its £70 million Capital Programme, to continuously improve the way roads are maintained, whilst offering longevity and value for money.

As part of this, the council is exploring the use of a JCB Pothole Pro machine for the next three months.

This equipment can cut, crop and clean potholes in around eight minutes, helping crews carry out repairs more quickly. Its effectiveness will be assessed alongside existing methods to determine whether it offers a cost-effective and valuable additional to Derbyshire’s pothole repair service.

This follows an earlier trial last year, helping to inform how it could potentially support highways’ response to pothole repairs.

Elsewhere a new elasto-mastic solution has been utilised over the past 18 months for some pothole repairs. Made from recycled lorry tyres, the material is more flexible than traditional asphalt and helps prevent water from causing further damage.

The mixture is used to fill potholes and larger cracks, and also to seal the edges of previous repairs, creating a waterproof surface with no joints, that extends the life of the road. So far, repairs using this method have not required further work.

Two jetpatching units are also being introduced in the North and South of the county until October, to support rural road maintenance. This method is a highly effective way to repair multiple potholes on roads with lower levels of traffic. It enables a rapid repair, with minimal disruption and is effective in damp conditions.

Another innovation being rolled out is a new thermal repair technique, which will be used on town centre and residential streets. Up to four crews will operate across Derbyshire until April 2027, providing longer-lasting repairs by heating and reusing the existing road surface to create a smooth, waterproof joint-free finish that is fully bonded and becomes as strong as the existing carriageway.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Charlotte Hill said: “We know potholes are a real concern for our residents and can cause frustration and disruption.

“That’s why we’re continuing to invest in new equipment and techniques that help us repair roads more quickly and make those repairs last longer, ensuring we get the right approach for the right roads at the first time every time.

“There isn’t a single solution to fixing potholes, but by testing new approaches and building on what works, we’re continuing to make improvements across Derbyshire’s highways network.”

These new efforts build on the council’s rapid response service, with crews fixing around 2,000 potholes every week.

The work is supported by a dedicated highways innovation focus group, which is continually identifying and testing new ways to improve how the county’s roads are maintained.

For more information about the council’s pothole repair programme, visit: Pothole repair programme – Derbyshire County Council.