Greenwood and JCB team up against the potholes

15/01/2025 | DOMINIC BROWNE

Greenwood and JCB team up against the potholes

Future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood has visited the JCB Power Systems factory in Foston, Derbyshire, to mark National Pothole Day.

The Nottingham South MP was able to get a feel for some of the machines helping fix Britain’s highways.

Notably she saw the JCB Pothole Pro in action, a machine that is deployed by 20 local authorities across the country and can fix a road defect in eight minutes at a cost of around £30 – 'half the cost of traditional methods,' JCB notes.

The minister also met local leaders to discuss plans for filling potholes in Derbyshire. Department for Transport officials said this was part of the Government’s plans 'to work more closely with local authorities to ensure they have the powers to spend it where their communities need it most'.

Ms Greenwood said: 'Today is National Pothole Day and I am absolutely delighted to be with JCB in Derbyshire. It’s time for change and we are investing £1.6bn to fix up to seven million more potholes across England next year, including over £75m for the East Midlands Combined Authority.'

However, this funding is for general maintenance and can be spent on preventative as well as reactive repairs such as pothole filling, so the figure of seven million more potholes is an equivalent rather than a precise figure. 

Ms Greenwood added: 'It’s really important that we make best use of that funding and local authorities look at what new technologies and innovations they can adopt to make sure they can fix as many potholes in a permanent way.

'One of the things people get really frustrated about is that a pothole gets fixed and then it’s in the same state a few months later, so it’s really important that local authorities are looking at new innovations and equipment. JCB’s Pothole Pro is one of the many great examples of using new technology to repair potholes faster and demonstrates how companies are harnessing new technology to repair potholes faster.'

JCB Municipalities general manager Ben Rawding said: 'As the Government embarks on a huge investment in England’s roads, we were delighted to show the Future of Roads Minister just how innovative and cost effective the JCB Pothole Pro is at providing a permanent fix for potholes.'

As part of its Plan for Change, the Government has pledged to help deliver safer, smoother journeys, reducing delays and saving drivers money.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW