Title: Additional Trial of Pothole Pro Machine Scheduled on Lincolnshire Roads
The Pothole Pro, a machine designed by JCB for mending potholes and was previously found wanting in preliminary trials, is lined up for an extended evaluation on Lincolnshire’s roads. The trial will take place on the A158 near Wragby as the machine’s efficacy in patching up damaged roads is appraised. The Pothole Pro operates by excising sections around potholes to effect neater repairs. It is purported to work up to quadruple the speed of traditional road fixing methods.
Lincolnshire County Council previously conducted a pilot trial for nine weeks in 2021, electing not to employ the technology due to superior alternatives. Yet, Sean Matthews, who heads the Reform UK group within the council, opines that a more extended examination might yield more definitive results. “We are eager to validate its usefulness and will be satisfied regardless of the findings,” he avows.
The newly planned trial will run for 12 months, subject to shortening or prolonging based on the success of the trial. Earlier trials yielded inconsistent results, according to Councillor Richard Davies, who previously managed the highways portfolio. “The machine offers certain benefits in densely populated regions, yet its delayed mobility between sites often necessitates a trailer solution,” he detailed.
Councillor Martin Christopher, a Liberal Democrats representative, voiced doubts about whether its performance measures up to existing models. Even so, the Reform UK administration maintains its optimism that a lengthier trial will confirm the merit of the machine, particularly in urban settings. They also plan to utilise regional council depots to curtail transportation times.
Regardless of the political ties, Matthews underlines that the trial’s central objective is the enhancement of Lincolnshire’s roads. “This has nothing to do with Nigel Farage or JCB; it’s about discovering the optimal solution for our county’s infrastructure,” he crystallized.
This article was adapted by The Lincoln Post from an original report by www.bbc.com.
