A new pothole repair method, first developed in Milton Keynes, has been tested in the city by the MK Council.
The new system was tested on roads in CMK today (March 11th) using a technique first developed by a local company based in Bletchley.
It heats the existing asphalt around the pothole with an infrared unit. This makes the material soft enough to mix smoothly with new asphalt to fill the hole. It is then compressed with a Wacker machine and blends into the existing surface as it cools.
This method is more efficient because it uses less material to peg the pothole, creates a more seamless patch on the surface, and prevents surface water from entering. Traffic can be run over after only 30 minutes.
To keep the original look of the city center, white slivers that have been recycled from other road works are added to the road repair material. These are special splinters that are only used in CMK road surfaces.
The pothole repairs are part of a larger CMK overhaul that will take place in March, which will coordinate landscaping, repainting the parking bay line, and repairing damaged underpass lights.
Councilor Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: “We have provided an additional £ 50,000 on top of the £ 100,000 already allocated to tackle potholes.”
“We always try to do as much as possible within our limited budget. Not only does this infrared technique help save materials, which is good for the environment, but it also means we can fill more potholes. “
Pothole repairs will continue on stretches of road in the city center throughout March.
