Battle against potholes is back on

The machine was one of the new techniques introduced last year. Between August and December 2014, the Velocity Patcher repaired more than 6,000 potholes across 204 roads in Central Bedfordshire and it is back for a second spell in the area this summer.

The machine can fix potholes within two minutes, rather than the hour that conventional filling methods can take, by ‘blowing’ material into the hole. So as well as being able to fix more potholes in the same time, it minimises disruption to the public.

Councillor Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Communities, said: “Maintaining our roads is a key priority for the council and we are always looking at ways to get the best possible value for residents as well as keeping people on the move.

“Using the Velocity Patcher has meant we have been able to carry out many more repairs than we would have done using conventional methods, as these impressive results show.

“As well as minimising disruption for residents, it also enables us to keep our highways team safe while they work.”

The first programme of repairs was funded from an additional government grant but due to the success of the Velocity Patcher programme and having monitored the repairs over the winter the council has decided to continue this approach from its own funding this year.

To find out more about the highways service or report a pothole using the online reporting system, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/highways.