This sustainable technology makes repairs using an infra-red heating process which reheats the existing road surface, bringing it back to a workable state where it can be recycled and used again. Additional material is added, mixed in and compacted to reform the road back to a high standard.

As the process reuses the existing road surface material, less new material is needed to make repairs, eliminating excavation of material that would need disposing, making the process zero waste. Also, by removing the need for power tools, road repairs can be made faster, with noise levels reduced, and carbon emissions significantly lower.

Further contributing to ours and the council’s net zero goals, the system and the fully self-contained vehicle it travels in, are fitted with solar panels.

Operatives have undertaken thorough training on how to use the new equipment and VolkerHighways and the council are looking to deploy the system in September.

Charlie Cox, operations manager for VolkerHighways, said: “We have trialled road repair technology for a number of years including in Bath and North East Somerset in 2019 and 2021, as well as in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. It’s brilliant to see Bath and North East Somerset council adopting thermal road repair technology into its own fleet, helping to reduce our environmental impact.”

Councillor Mark Roper, cabinet assistant for Neighbourhood Services for Bath and North East Somerset said: “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver our essential works while still moving towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral. We know that embracing and investing in new and innovative methods like this will help us better tackle the climate emergency.

“After successful trials using this system, we’ve seen the benefits that it can bring, and we’re excited to see it out and about improving our highways.”