Pothole Pros Incoming: Nottinghamshire Set for Road Repair Boost

Nottinghamshire’s battle against potholes is about to get a high-tech upgrade, with new JCB Pothole Pro machinesexpected to hit the roads within weeks.

The county council confirmed the specialist equipment—designed to carry out rapid and permanent road repairs—will be in operation within the next two weeks, following a procurement decision earlier this year.

A faster fix for failing roads

The machines, which cost between £150,000 and £200,000 each, have already been trialled in neighbouring areas and are capable of repairing around 200–250 metres of road per day. They carry out patching work across sections of up to 16 square metres, preparing surfaces for longer-term treatments like resurfacing.

Council leader Mick Barton said the aim is to use the machines daily, closely monitoring productivity to ensure value for money and consistent progress.

Part of a bigger investment

The rollout forms part of a much larger push to tackle Nottinghamshire’s road maintenance backlog. Earlier this year, the council committed £122.5 million to highways improvements, followed by a further £58.75 million boost—bringing the total to more than £181 million for 2026/27.

Including emergency repairs funding, overall investment now exceeds £183 million.

Year-round repairs

A key shift in approach will see road repairs carried out throughout the year, including winter months—when damage is typically at its worst. The council says this continuous programme will help prevent deterioration and reduce the need for temporary fixes.

Currently, more than 130 workers are involved in highways operations, supported by multiple repair crews, with additional teams set to join in the coming weeks.

Turning the tide

The investment comes after a survey revealed that 38% of Nottinghamshire’s roads are in poor condition, alongside widespread issues with worn road markings.

The council believes the combined funding and new technology could reduce its highways maintenance backlog by nearly £100 million, marking a significant step towards improving the network.

With new machines ready to roll and funding in place, Nottinghamshire is hoping to finally get ahead of the pothole problem—rather than constantly playing catch-up.