The fight against potholes

Cheshire East Council is trialling the latest technology in a bid to reduce the number of potholes across the Borough and improve conditions for drivers and cyclists.

A new method of pothole repair, called 'velocity patching', is due to begin in earnest after initial trials in the Nantwich area produced positive results.

Benefits of the system include:

• A greater number of potholes are repaired compared to traditional methods;


• Faster repairs means less disruption for road users;


• No excavation is necessary, so there is no damage to lower layers of the road;


• The vehicle can be sent to repair potholes quickly, meaning greater flexibility; and


• A reduction in costs to the Council. 

There are currently two of these vehicles in operation in Cheshire East. One is slightly smaller and is better suited to urban locations.

Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member in charge of environmental services, said: "Decades of underfunding, coupled with severe winters, general wear and tear and the recent heavy flooding has meant the standard of our roads is not what it should be.

"Velocity patching is one of the innovative techniques we are adopting to remedy the situation. It will allow us to repair more potholes in less time and that can only be a good thing for Cheshire East residents.

"The machines will be targeting some of the worst roads in the Borough and will be used to rectify problem areas identified through our Local Area Partnerships and local residents."

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