County could get machine that can fix a pothole in eight minutes

MP TO VISIT JCB IN BID TO IMPROVE ROADS

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

LEE Anderson says Nottinghamshire could be getting pioneering JCB machines that can fix potholes in eight minutes after the Government handed down its first rating for the county's roads.

The Department for Transport has launched a new map tracking how local authorities are performing while carrying out road maintenance, particularly tackling potholes.

Both Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have been given amber ratings, meaning there is room for improvement.

Mr Anderson says the county could now be getting JCB’s Pothole Pro machines as part of its improvement plans.

The machine, which was displayed at Reform UK’s party conference last year, weighs 13 tonnes and JCB says it can fix a pothole in eight minutes.

The Pothole Pro is already being tried out by Reform-led councils in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire could follow suit, with the Ashfield MP saying:

“Since last May, Reform UK-led Nottinghamshire County Council have rewritten the rules on our roads by having a complete review on how we repair our roads.

“Here's the facts - our roads have become so bad in Nottinghamshire that we need over £500m to repair them to a satisfactory standard. This is a lot of money, especially when you consider Nottinghamshire County Council currently get around £50m a year to spend on our roads.”