New thermal road-repair machine helps fix city potholes

Cardiff Council has started using a specialist thermal road-repair machine to help fix potholes and damaged road surfaces across the city.

The move follows an unprecedented amount of road damage caused by last winter's prolonged wet weather and cold snaps.

The machine uses a heat-based process to repair potholes, while reducing carbon emissions by up to 85% compared with a conventional dig-and-fill repair technique.

It works by heating the existing road surface before new material is applied, allowing much of the existing material to be reused and creating a stronger bond between the old and new surface.

Where the machine can be used, the process removes the need for traditional cuts around the repair area and eliminates joints that can allow water to penetrate the road surface and weaken repairs over time.

Council cabinet member Ed Stubbs said: "This technology allows us to carry out high-quality repairs that create a stronger bond with the existing road surface, helping to extend the life of repairs and reduce disruption for road users.

"While thermal repair technology is not entirely new, the equipment we are now using represents a significant advancement in how these repairs are delivered. It is quicker, quieter and provides another valuable tool for our staff.

"It's important to stress that there is no single solution for every pothole. Residents will continue to see a range of repair methods being used across the city, including permanent cut-and-seal repairs and temporary repairs where immediate action is needed to keep roads safe. Our teams will always use the most appropriate repair method for the location and type of defect on the highway network."

The council says it has repaired the potholes reported during the winter and that reports identified through inspections and by members of the public have now fallen considerably.