Redbridge trials low-carbon pothole repairs

The London borough of Redbridge is trialling a new technique for fixing potholes.

Spray Injection Patching has no excavation, waste, or heat involved, which means that holes can be fixed with minimal carbon emissions and less impact on the environment.

The Spray Injection Patching machine has already been successful, making a record-breaking 120 repairs in one day, and nearly 2200 pothole repairs during the 12-week trial.

Calculations from Velocity, the company that makes the machine, found that traditional methods of pothole repair for the same number of defects would have contributed 1,112 tonnes of carbon to the environment, whereas the new machine produced 44.5 tonnes - 95 per cent less.

Redbridge Council Leader, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: “Potholes are a nuisance and a danger to road users, and we understand how difficult they can make journeys around Redbridge. We’re working hard to find innovative and cost-effective ways to improve road surfaces for local people.

“The Spray Injection Patching machine is helping pave the way, and where suitable we hope to continue using it on our roads, alongside our resurfacing programme and traditional repairs, enabling a greater number of potholes repairs to be completed faster across the borough, with fewer carbon emissions.

“We hope the success of this trial will encourage further use of this low carbon solution to potholes and instil greater confidence and opportunities for active travel on our roads.”