UK government funds projects that could stop potholes from forming

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has announced the government will provide £22.9 million for the research and trials of new technology that could help stop potholes from forming.

Real-world tests of new road surfaces and technologies in eight local authorities will see which emerging innovations could provide long-term solutions. The Live Labs projects will be delivered by councils — including Kent, Staffordshire, Reading, Suffolk and Solihull and Birmingham — and if successful, may be adopted by other authorities.

These schemes include expanding the test of plastic roads in Cumbria, using kinetic energy off Buckinghamshire roads to power lighting, and using geothermal energy created from paths to stop car parks and bus stations in Central Bedfordshire from freezing over.

Grayling said: “Potholes are the number one enemy for road users and this government is looking at numerous ways to keep our roads in the best condition. These trials will see how new technologies work in the real world to ensure our roads are built for the 21st century.”

In the Budget in November 2018, the Chancellor announced an additional £420 million for road maintenance for 2018-2019 financial year. This brings the total funding for pothole repair and road maintenance, including the Live Labs project, from 2015 to 2020 up to £6.6 billion.