VolkerHighways and Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Council have invested in an ‘ultra eco-friendly’ thermal road repair system.
The contractor said the pavement repair technology uses an infra-red heating process that reheats the existing surface, bringing it back to a workable state where it can be used again. Additional material is added, mixed in and compacted to reform the highway back to a high standard.
It said that using less new material cuts waste, while removing the need for power tools, road repairs can be made faster, with noise levels reduced, and carbon emissions significantly lower.
The system and the self-contained vehicle it travels in are fitted with solar panels.
VolkerHighways said operatives have been training on how to use the new equipment and it is looking to deploy it this month.
Operations manager Charlie Cox said: ‘We have trialled road repair technology for a number of years including in Bath and North East Somerset in 2019 and 2021, as well as in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
‘It’s brilliant to see Bath and North East Somerset council adopting thermal road repair technology into its own fleet, helping to reduce our environmental impact.’
Mark Roper, BANES cabinet assistant for neighbourhood services, said: ‘We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver our essential works while still moving towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral. We know that embracing and investing in new and innovative methods like this will help us better tackle the climate emergency.
‘After successful trials using this system, we’ve seen the benefits that it can bring, and we’re excited to see it out and about improving our highways.’
The Roman city of Bath is famous for its thermal waters which have played a central role in every stage of its development, according to English Heritage.
