Balfour has been using the system from specialist supplier Velocity on its highways maintenance contract with North Somerset Council.

The ‘Spray Injection’ patching technique allows Balfour to repair nearly 700 potholes a week across the region.

The method is also being used on the company’s contract in Herefordshire and is being considered for roll-out to other highways maintenance operations.

The Velocity unit is a mobile mixing plant carrying high-grade road aggregate and bitumen emulsion which is controlled by the specialist operator.

Potholes are initially cleaned and dried with warm air from the delivery hose before a bond coat is sprayed into the cracks and crevices

A controlled flow of fully coated aggregate is then introduced to fill the pothole before the repair is then compacted and swept.

Potholes can be repaired in around three minutes – compared to up to an hour using more conventional methods.

Steve Helliwell, Operations Director at Balfour Beatty Living Places said: “We understand that poor road conditions are a major frustration for motorists, as are delays caused by the essential work to repair and maintain the network.

“We are therefore always looking out for new technologies and approaches which limit disruption and allow us to make more repairs.

“We’re very pleased with the performance of this technology, which is another important tool in our work to maintain the country’s highways.

“It allows us to carry out work quickly and safely, and also provides a better method of undertaking proactive preventative work to reduce surface deterioration.”

Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Highways, said: “We have been very pleased with the initial results of this innovative answer to pothole patching, which is enabling us to better keep pace with the problem across North Somerset, speeding up the process and allowing us to respond more quickly and efficiently to residents’ concerns.”

Phill Lewis, Sales Manager at Velocity said: “Velocity is confident that the process is a cost effective productive solution for the rural network.

“By working closely with Balfour Beatty on preventative programmes of maintenance, we can stop further deterioration of the unclassified network, which sometimes receives less attention than larger roads”