Council implements new technology for road repairs

14th February 2015

The Highland Council has been trialling new technological means of repairing and maintaining roads, according to a report into the Roads Innovation Fund by the Director of Community Services.

Techniques to be used for the repair of potholes include use of "Jetpatcher" equipment, a process by which a high velocity air stream is used to clear any debris in the pothole and also to lay and compact new asphalt, filling it. Highland Council has been working with three contractors and Moray Council to trial this system.

Trialling the use of a small, mobile, two-tonne hot box for bituminous surfacing material has demonstrated the efficiencies which can be achieved in repairing potholes during winter. This permits permanent, rather than temporary, repairs to be made. More cost effective use of resources means more funding can be used for innovation.

The council has also put into effect a recycling pilot, during which technology has been used to reduce both time and spending when undertaking road surface regulation and overlay techniques. Specifically, the council has been trialling road recycling equipment which turns existing asphalt into re-usable material. During trials, this new system of road recycling delivered savings between 25% and 50% against the conventional technique.

The Highland Council is the largest (in geographical size) local authority in the UK and has 6,752 km of regional roads and 1,700 km of footways.

Cllr Graham MacKenzie, Chairperson of the Community Services Committee, said: "I am extremely pleased with the findings of these trials so far. This report highlights the importance of keeping up-to-date with technology and I am confident that the final results of the trials will be positive when they are completed in full."