Nu-Phalt pothole repair system to be used in East Sussex

May Gurney is expanding the use of its Nu-Phalt thermal road repair system.

Nu-Phalt mends potholes and other surface defects by recycling the existing macadam.

Following a successful trial, May Gurney has ordered a second system for use on its highways maintenance contract with East Sussex County Council.

Lee Mewett, May Gurney’s senior reactive supervisor on the East Sussex Highways contract, said: “The thermal repair system makes fast, flexible and long-lasting seamless road surfacing repairs.

“The system is self-contained in one van which is liveried with rear hazard markings and roof lights to ensure it is highly visible on the highway.

“We decided to trial it as it is an innovative approach to the potholing issue and as the trial was successful we now have two on hire until the end of the current East Sussex contract in September 2015.”

The portable thermal heater is positioned over the defect area to penetrate the wearing course. No material is taken from the repair, everything is recycled in-situ which means there is no waste or landfill.

High grade enriched emulsion is added to the repair area and mixed through the recycled material to deliver a consistent and even exposure. This recoats the recycled aggregate, increasing bitumen content to near ‘new materials’ levels.

An infrared thermometer is then used to check the temperature of the repair area and a skilled operator assesses the repair area’s compaction requirements to complete a high quality and level repair.

By Alec Peachey