CHESHIRE East Council’s hi-tech ‘pothole-busting’ machines have been in action tackling the damage to Knutsford’s roads done by recent ice and snow. Two Asphalt re-lay machines were on the streets fixing cracks and holes with joint-free repairs that combat the ravages of winter more effectively.

Cheshire East Council says the recent severe weather conditions have left roads exposed to ‘freeze-thaw’ damage.

The council and its contractor BAM Nuttall, along with Crewe-based award-winning partners Asphalt Re-lay, now use new technologies to repair potholes.

An infra-red heat source, with additional materials is added to the pothole and compacted to provide a permanent patch.

Clr Rod Menlove, cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “The council is working hard to keep drivers safer by fixing the holes as quickly as possible.

“This hi-tech re-lay equipment helps us do this effectively, quickly and efficiently.”

John McGowan, Cheshire East Council’s area highway manager, said: “We have up to four of these machines in action at any one time to tackle potholes and other road damage and they are going to be kept in action pretty solidly for the next few months. This technology is one of our tools for repairing the ravages of the winter weather.

“We continue to encourage people to report potholes and other damage so that we can give our urgent attention to them. In the meantime, we would urge people to drive carefully on stretches of road where they know potholes have developed until we can fix them.”

Since January, there has been a 100 per cent increase in pothole reports for the same period last year.

Residents can report potholes to Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5500 or online by going to cheshireeast.gov.uk