Leeds Trials New Technologies to Improve Pothole Repairs

Council tests innovative methods to enhance road maintenance

Leeds City Council is currently conducting trials of three new pothole repair technologies aimed at improving the speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness of road repairs across the city. These trials follow previous tests and are part of ongoing efforts to modernise the council’s highway maintenance approach.

Background and recent challenges

The latest phase of testing comes after a period of persistent rainfall in January and February 2026, which left ground conditions saturated and road surfaces more vulnerable to damage. This has led to a significant increase in pothole reports across Leeds. In response, the council’s highways teams have allocated additional resources to manage the increased demand for repairs.

Technologies under trial

The three pothole repair systems being evaluated are at various stages of use and assessment. Each offers potential benefits in terms of repair speed, durability, and environmental impact.

• Velocity pothole repair system: Tested in late 2025, this method uses high-speed spray injection to repair potholes in under two minutes without excavation or waste. The process produces an immediately traffic-ready repair that is cost-effective and has a low carbon footprint.
• JCB Pothole Pro: Trialled in July 2025, this machine is mounted on a four-wheeled tractor unit and features a three-in-one tool system comprising a planer, cropper, and sweeper. It cuts, cleans, and crops potholes to enable a permanent repair in as little as eight minutes. The system reduces the need for hand tools and labour, and helps limit traffic disruption.
• Thermal patching: Scheduled to begin testing in spring 2026, this technique uses infrared heat to warm existing asphalt and re-bond it with minimal new material. It aims to create a seamless, waterproof, and jointless repair while significantly reducing carbon emissions, waste, and noise.

Evaluation and future plans

Upon completion of the trials, Leeds City Council will evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of each technology. The council will then decide which, if any, should be incorporated into the city’s long-term highway maintenance strategy.

Council response

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, acknowledged the challenges posed by potholes and the inconvenience they cause. He noted that the council prioritises highway maintenance, investing millions annually through its capital programme.

He added that the trials of innovative technologies complement this investment and have the potential to address both the backlog of road defects and new issues resulting from recent heavy rainfall. Councillor Pryor expressed confidence that these solutions could help speed up and strengthen the council’s response to road defects while offering cost-effective and efficient ways to maintain the city’s roads.