Cardiff Council is using a specialist thermal road repair machine to fix potholes and damaged surfaces across the city following a sharp rise in highway defects last winter.
Prolonged wet weather and periods of freezing temperatures caused an unprecedented number of defects on Cardiff’s road network.
The specialist machine uses heat to repair potholes and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 85% compared with a conventional dig-and-fill repair.
It heats the existing road surface before new material is applied, allowing much of the original material to be reused and creating a stronger bond between the old and new surfaces.
Where the technology is suitable, it also removes the need to make traditional cuts around the repair area. This eliminates joints that can allow water to penetrate the road surface and weaken repairs over time.
Cllr Ed Stubbs, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Frontline Services, said: “Keeping Cardiff’s roads safe and in good condition is a priority for us, and we’re constantly looking at ways to improve how we maintain our highway network, with the budget available.
“Last winter, Cardiff, like many other areas across the UK, experienced an unprecedented number of highway defects due to exceptionally wet weather and periods of freezing temperatures.
“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.”
Cardiff Council said a combination of drier weather, the new technology and the use of several repair methods had enabled it to repair the potholes reported during the winter period.
The number of defects found through council inspections or reported by members of the public has now fallen considerably.
The thermal repair machine cannot be used in every location. Where conditions are unsuitable, the council will continue to use permanent cut-and-seal repairs to ensure defects are fixed to the required standard.
The council said it would continue to monitor road conditions across Cardiff and invest in effective techniques to keep the city’s roads safe.
