Suffolk County Council launches pothole prevention programme ahead of winter

The big picture: Highways authorities across the UK face increased pothole formation during winter. Water seeps into road cracks, freezes, expands, and breaks the surface. This programme aims to seal vulnerable areas and reduce the overall number of potholes.

• Teams are using advanced technology to treat areas prone to deterioration.

• The programme builds on successful trials of Roadmender Elastomac and Dragon Patcher machines.

• Work will focus on sealing cracks and repairing smaller defects before they worsen.

Why it matters: Potholes are a major concern for drivers, causing vehicle damage and safety hazards. This preventative approach aims to minimise these issues during the winter months when pothole formation typically increases.

Key details:

• Roadmender Elastomac system will target urban roads, using a flowable material to seal repaired areas.

• The Elastomac process reduces material movement and waste by 90%. They use HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) as fuel, generating zero waste.

• Dragon Patcher machines, fuelled by biodiesel, will focus on rural roads.

• Work will take place from 7am to 5pm, with potential traffic delays of up to 15 minutes.

What they're saying: Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said: "Cold and wet weather often wreaks havoc with our roads, which is why we have taken proactive steps and developed a targeted campaign to tackle and provide resilience to our road network ahead of this winter."

What's next: The council will continue the programme through December, aiming to complete repairs before the coldest months of January, February, and March when most potholes form.

For more information on the project, visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/flattening-the-curve.