Gateshead Introduces New Technology to Tackle Potholes

Gateshead Council has treated thousands of square metres of local roads with new pothole prevention technology since its recent introduction.

In November, the council unveiled its £230,000 ‘Pothole Pro’, designed to repair roads proactively and prevent damage before it occurs. The machine is part of a wider £7.7 million, five-year investment in the borough’s highway network.

Council officials reported that in just three months, the equipment has already treated more road surface than was completed in the entire previous financial year, highlighting its efficiency and potential to reduce the reactive repair budget.

Paul Fairless, Gateshead Council’s workforce manager, said:"The machine is performing very well. Our team has been familiarising themselves with it, and we’re getting them confident in its use. In comparison, we completed around 2,000 square metres of preventive patching last year, but with this machine, we’ve already done over 3,000 square metres in just three months."

Fairless added that while it will take time to see the full impact on budgets and road conditions, the initiative is already delivering smoother, longer-lasting repairs that benefit residents.

Since 2018, Gateshead Council has spent nearly £10 million on pothole and kerb repairs, with potholes accounting for about 24% of the reactive repairs budget, at an average annual cost of over £340,000. The new technology aims to cut down on these costs while improving road quality for drivers.