Car-damaging, bike-toppling, ankle-turning potholes are the bane of road-users and local authorities alike. But if the road ahead does not look promising, you need to talk to road preservation experts Velocity. Fast.
Official figures reveal that councils filled in two million potholes at a cost of £99 million during 2013, but the Asphalt Industry Alliance has predicted that it will take 11 years and £10 billion to clear up Britain’s existing pothole problem – and that figure stretches to 17 years in Wales.
It’s a rising crisis that calls for new thinking. As the adage goes, do what you’ve always done and you’ll get what you’ve always got. That’s why local authorities are increasingly turning to Velocity to deliver a speedy, reliable and long-lasting solution to their potholes backlog.
A ‘hole’ host of facts
Here’s a few Velocity facts to think about:
• Velocity’s machines can permanently repair a pothole in about two minutes – a fraction of the time it takes a conventional repair gang to do the job manually.
• The use of high-speed patching techniques means the vehicles are capable of carrying out up to 150 long-lasting pothole repairs each day. That’s about 750 a week!
• According to the Asphalt Industry Alliance, the average pothole repair ranges from £35 in Wales to £55 in England. But a Velocity repair will cost an average of around £18.
Velocity’s new-generation, computer-controlled machines use high-velocity air to clean potholes, seal the defects and introduce a specially-formulated mix of aggregates and bitumen emulsions. The process leaves a permanent, level repair that is instantly ready to take vehicles of up to 44 tonnes.
As heat is not involved in the repair, this greener method involves exceptionally low CO2 emissions. The process produces minimal waste material and causes no further damage to the road base.
The process isn’t just used to remove defects, as it is an excellent preventative tool to halt road surface deterioration.
Suitable for rural and urban roads, the system can be adapted for repairs to potholes, edge deterioration, depressions, cracking, crazing and extending the life of worn conventional repairs.
A quick word from our customers
Velocity isn’t just a quick word. It’s the watchword for road preservation. And don’t just take our word for it.
Kent County Council is one of our satisfied customers. Highway District Manager Steve Rivers said: “Our Highways team has been using Velocity’s high pressure patching process across the county for a number of years. Over this time, a greater understanding of the process and its benefits has allowed it to be targeted to work effectively, to provide long-term and durable repairs to the rural road network. This type of repair can be carried out quickly, reducing disruption to traffic and I believe it is a valuable addition to our toolkit.”
Phil Bush, Highway Operations Manager for North Somerset Council, adds: “Velocity is another tool in our armoury to make our road maintenance budget go as far as possible. We simply wouldn’t have been able to repair the type of defects we had to anything like the same extent by traditional methods.”

For more details about Velocity’s services or to arrange a FREE TRIAL, please visit www.velocitypatching.com or call the Velocity sales team 0191 565 4400.

The Velocity patching machines were used to repair some of the worst-hit roads during a month-long blitz.
The works were identified via annual network condition surveys and the repairs have already resulted in positive feedback from local residents and road users.
It was the first time Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council had worked with road preservation specialists Velocity, who have repaired more than 250,000 potholes across the UK over the past 12 months.
Ian Carter, Network and Programme Manager for the council’s Highways and Drainage Section, said that the council were very pleased with the work carried out by Velocity.
He said: “As with all local authorities, money is tight at present, so we have to look for the best ways to tackle problems in the most cost-effective manner. It’s about finding ways to make the money go further.
“A number of the rural back lanes were suffering from numerous defects following the winter including potholes, patching and edge deterioration. Something additional had to be done.
“As we had not worked with Velocity before, we initially trialled the Velocity patching machine and were pleased and impressed by the results, so we brought them back for a programme of work.
“The feedback we’ve had from the public has been very good. Residents we have spoken to are delighted while members and officers within the council have been impressed too.
“We are very pleased with the work the Velocity team carried out and will certainly be looking to use them again in future.”
Official figures reveal that UK councils repaired two million potholes at a cost of £99 million last year, but the Asphalt Industry Alliance has predicted that it will take 11 years and £10 billion to clear up Britain’s existing pothole problem.
Meanwhile, the AA recently announced that £140 million made available by the Government for pothole repairs was “a drop in the ocean”.
“The UK has a pothole epidemic and many local authorities are simply overwhelmed by the backlog of defects,” said Velocity Managing Director Dominic Gardner.
“It is a rising crisis that calls not just for more money – which is certainly needed – but for new thinking too. As the adage goes, do what you’ve always done and you’ll get what you’ve always got.”
Manned by a highly-skilled operator and a machine driver, Velocity vehicles can repair a pothole in about two minutes – a fraction of the time it takes a conventional repair gang to do the job manually. The repairs are environmentally-friendly as they use exclusively cold materials.

Phill Lewis of road preservation experts Velocity reflects on how the UK’s authorities are increasingly changing priorities and opening up to new thinking in these times of austerity

There was a time, not so very long ago, when the challenge of the UK’s road network was a subject discussed almost exclusively within the industry. Now, however, it is all but impossible to flick through the pages of a national or local newspaper without your eyes falling on another article bemoaning the state of the nation’s roads.

Potholes are now headline news, as all too often are the increasing number of insurance claims against authorities, driven not only by the road repair reality but by the blame and claim culture in which we now exist. Dozens of websites encourage the public not only to report on and take images of the potholes they see but to make insurance claims too. With every pothole it seems that many see a pot of money.

And yet we cannot escape from the stark reality that our road network is in its worst state in living memory, a situation that sadly seems destined to worsen long before we turn the corner towards improvement.

The local network remains very much the poor relation when it comes to tackling this issue of great contention. Our local roads, including the many thousands of miles winding their way around the country’s housing estates, are increasingly neglected while national crisis reporting insists the focus remains on the A roads.

While I welcome the Government’s biggest programme of investment in UK roads for more than 40 years, it is frustrating that the £10 billion road repair commitment will not made be available until at least 2015-16. It is even more frustrating that the investment will be in major schemes that had been postponed following earlier budget cuts. While there is no doubt that our motorways must be preserved, the desperate need for action on our rural and local network seems to be have been conveniently forgotten.

Quite simply, our local roads are a mess, with previous surveys revealing an average of 19 potholes per housing estate across the country. And our minor roads will continue to suffer as the budgetary cuts bite ever harder.

The nation’s road users are the biggest losers, of course, but within the industry my sympathies lay with that ever-rarer species known as the lesser-common highway inspector. Dealing with the double-edged sword of ever-decreasing budgets and ever-increasing road defects can be a demoralising task. From the Highlands of Scotland to England’s home counties, my Velocity colleagues and I spend much time travelling up and down the country talking to them about the challenges they face, so I am well aware that those of them who remain have never had it so tough.

But the road network is this country’s biggest asset. As The Sun so succinctly and accurately put it in another recent crisis feature, our roads are the indispensable backbone of Britain. So it is vital that everything possible is done to maintain them and ensure they do not continue to deteriorate at the same alarming rate.

I have no magic wand to offer my highway friends, otherwise I’d have long since waved it to produce a flash of cash to bring our network back up to scratch. I do, however, believe there’s plenty for them to be positive about.

Now is the time to break from convention of old-style repair gangs and start afresh. And the good news is that the new brigade left holding the fort within our authorities are open-minded to innovations offered by companies such as Velocity in the fight to find the best possible road preservation solutions.

Five years ago patching machines were rarely seen on urban roads. Firms like Velocity were more likely to be sent to deal with the rural network. But times have changed.

While quality is the watchword, speed is of the essence. When road use is constant, in areas of high-tourism for instance, it can be a problem to close a road for a significant length of time. Where repairs by conventional methods would often mean closing sections of road for up to half a day, Velocity patching can be done in a fraction of the time. In terms of public perception, the benefits cannot be over-emphasised of having a road back and ready to take vehicles of up to 44 tonnes within 15 minutes of closure.

Overwhelmed by a backlog of defects, it is understandable, therefore, that many London boroughs, with their constantly bustling roads, are increasingly seeking more efficient ways of looking after their local network.

Utilising highly-skilled teams and machines that double as mobile mixing units to carry out a repair in a matter of minutes minimises traffic disruptions, while the carbon savings compared to conventional methods are immense, so the environment is a winner too.

Velocity’s patching’s own public perception has also changed beyond recognition in recent years. High-quality operator training, together with better quality aggregates and emulsions making for denser, more sustainable and longer lasting repairs means there is now great faith in the industry.

Once viewed through suspicious eyes as a bold alternative to conventional methods, companies like Velocity are now increasingly seen as a key component for cash-strapped councils and highway authorities in need of good value for money and a long-lasting, high quality solution to potholes and other defects.

The first 28 weeks of 2013 saw Velocity repair nearly 175,000 potholes, almost 100% up on the same time last year. We have had 18 crews and a fully-committed support team working flat out on contracts across Cheshire, Kent, Essex, Herefordshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire, with many other authorities now in talks to follow suit.

So Velocity patching and the wide range of road preservation solutions such as surface dressing and micro-surfacing are here to stay, though I would always recommend taking secondary advice from the invaluable tool that is the RSTA website to check when and where to use the myriad of surface treatment options and what to expect in terms of lifespan and performance.

There is no getting away from the massive challenge that lies ahead. But I am cheered by the way in which so many of those in positions of responsibility are ready to pick up the gauntlet and take up the fight by using whatever innovation or method is needed. It’s time to break with convention. Out with the old and in with the new!

Part of the Reece Group of Companies, Velocity are calling on more local authorities to take preventative action to tackle the growing pothole backlog.

Velocity repaired 376,000 potholes across the UK so far this year – a 46% increase on last year – including Durham, North Somerset, Cheshire, Kent, Essex, Herefordshire, Hampshire, South Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire.

Now, in the wake of the shocking new figures about the state of the UK’s roads, the industry leaders are appealing to more local authorities to take action to preserve their local road network.

Official data from councils across the UK has revealed a 79% increase in compensation claims in the past financial year from motorists as a result of pothole damage.

Describing the situation as a “pothole epidemic”, breakdown service Britannia Rescue said local authorities had received 32,600 claims in the past financial year, paying out £2.5m in compensation to motorists.

Phill Lewis, sales manager of Sunderland-based Velocity, responded: “We cannot escape from the stark reality that our road network is in its worst state in living memory.

“While there is no doubt that our motorways must be preserved, the desperate need for action on our rural and local network seems to be have been conveniently forgotten.

“Quite simply, our local roads are a mess. And our minor roads will continue to suffer as the budgetary cuts bite ever harder.

“The nation’s road users are the biggest losers, of course, but I have every sympathy with the local authorities who must deal with the double-edged sword of ever-increasing road defects and ever-decreasing budgets.

“But the road network is this country’s biggest asset, so it is vital that everything possible is done to maintain our roads and ensure they do not continue to deteriorate at the same alarming rate.

“There is now an urgent need not only to get to grips with the existing pothole backlog but to take preventative measures to ensure tomorrow’s potential potholes don’t form.”

Britannia claimed that short-term fixes were often chosen over longer term solutions, with 23% of councils reportedly admitting they usually temporarily fix potholes rather than resurface the area.

They also claimed that the average cost of repairing a pothole was around £50, which they said councils could have been used to repair more than 50,000 potholes.

But Mr Lewis responded by saying: “Although occasionally unavoidable, temporary fixes are clearly not the way forward.

“Unfortunately, conventional methods for fixing potholes and other road defects are often take too long and cost too much.

“That is why an increasing number of councils – many of them in the South of England – are turning to Velocity for quick, cost-effective and long-lasting repairs.”

Capable of repairing up to 150 potholes per day at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods, Velocity’s machines carry all the necessary equipment and materials to repair potholes and other road defects.

Velocity’s expertise has been utilised by highways authorities in Kent, Cheshire and Essex over the past 12 months, with their specialist machines and highly-skilled three-man crews making a huge impact on the condition of the highways network in all three counties.

• The Reece Group is also the holding company for Velocity and a number of innovative north east engineering businesses – including Pearson Engineering, Pearson Engineering Services and Responsive Engineering Group – operating in the defence, subsea and construction markets.

• The group’s strategy is focused on expanding the business in existing and new market both organically and through acquisition, creating employment and wealth in the North East of England.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Date issued: October 11 2013.

The Reece Group Limited (RGL) is a privately owned business and the holding company for a number of innovative north east engineering businesses.

Turnover in 2011 was over £211m and the group has circa 530 employees. The board of directors consists of Executive Chairman – John Reece, Chief Executive Officer – Phil Kite, Chief Operating Officer – Roger Anderton.

The Group’s strategy is focused on expanding in existing and new markets both organically and through acquisition.  Companies owned by RGL are:

Pearson Engineering Limited – operates in the defence sector designing and developing of a range of counter mine and counter IED equipment that increases the capability of armoured fighting vehicles. It was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2012 and in the same year was also the winner of The Journal’s Fastest Growing Businesses.

Pearson Engineering Services – specialises in high quality precision steel fabrication for the defence and sub-sea sectors and has recently invested in aluminium processing equipment which will enable it to target new markets.

Velocity UK – specialises in road repairs and preservation, providing highly-skilled teams and machines to authorities across the UK and now taking its innovative road repair expertise to overseas markets.

Responsive Engineering Group – provides a range of subcontract manufacturing services including machining, welding/fabrication, pressing, assembly, testing as well as laser and waterjet cutting, predominantly to the oil and gas industry.

For further information about this news release or to arrange interviews, please contact Dave Allan Communications on 01642 879905 or 07711 025009 or email daveallancomms@gmail.com

The Sunderland firm won the North East Exporter of the Year award at the Stadium of Light last week, having previously beaten all-comers from across the Durham and Wearside region.

The prestigious success was a reward for their clinching of a seven-figure deal to supply their technology and services to the Latin American market. That deal created six new full-time jobs at the company’s Sunderland workshop.

However, Velocity believe the road to success remains here in the UK and with that they are looking to recruit at least a further five operators to meet the increasing demand for their services.

“We were absolutely delighted to win the North East Exporter of the Year award,” said managing director Dominic Gardner. “It is due recognition for the incredibly hard work our people have put into what represents the biggest deal in our history, taking our expertise to countries across South and Central America.

“Additionally through the support of parent company, The Reece Group, Velocity has invested further in its UK fleet of specialist road repair vehicles with the launch of a new state-of-the-art machine.

Mr Gardner continued: “Whilst we are seeking to expand overseas, our main focus remains here in the UK market, helping local authorities to tackle the country’s major pothole problem.

“There is now an urgent need not only to get to grips with the existing pothole backlog but to take preventative measures to ensure tomorrow’s potential potholes don’t form.

“But tackling the nation’s pothole backlog is a double-edged sword because pothole numbers are increasing at a time when council budgets are being dramatically reduced.

“We have every sympathy with the authorities who are trying to deal with what is undoubtedly a massive headache, while the government’s hands are tied due to austerity measures.

“But the road network is this country’s biggest asset so it’s vital that everything possible is done to maintain it and ensure it does not continue to deteriorate.

“There is no magic wand but our message to highways authorities is that we are here to help. We repaired more than 200,000 potholes last year but we could do many more.

In an amazing 12 months since a takeover by the Newcastle-based Reece Group, Velocity’s quick-fire success has seen them maintaining roads from Stirling in the north to Kent and Hampshire on England’s south coast.

Having repaired 10% of the 2.2 million potholes fixed across the UK in 2012, their teams are also currently carrying out work as part of major contracts with highways authorities in Hereford, Hertfordshire, Cheshire, Essex and Moray.

While the government says it has given councils more than £3bn to maintain roads, the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) says local authorities may need as much as £10.5bn to restore the country’s “crumbling roads”.

Velocity’s complete road repair service includes specialised machines, materials and three-strong operation teams.

Capable of repairing up to 150 potholes per day at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods, their self-contained machines – manufactured in the company’s Sunderland workshops – carry all the necessary equipment and materials to repair all manner of road defects.

Reece Group subsidiary Pearson Engineering, which makes counter mine equipment for the military market, has worked closely with the Velocity manufacturing team to make their production process ready for larger volumes.

Dorset won the Best Service Team award for Highways, Winter Maintenance and Street Lighting in a prestigious ceremony organised by the Association of Public Service Excellence.

The award was presented by Emmerdale actress Kelsey Beth Crossley in recognition of Dorset Highways’ continuous improvements to efficiency and performance during challenging economic times.

Part of the Reece Group of Companies, Velocity provide highly-skilled teams and machines to authorities across the UK.

Velocity technology is part of the Dorset Highways team’s innovative road repair techniques that are saving more than £1.3million a year compared to conventional road patching techniques.

There was also 1,200 tonnes less of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere while repairing 5,500 defects over a 12-month period.

“The use of Velocity technology demonstrates our commitment to innovative solutions,” said Dorset Highways Recycling Manager David Blackburn. “We aren’t afraid to try out new and alternative techniques to improve productivity and make savings wherever we can.”

Mr Blackburn explained that the Council first trialled Velocity’s road repair services in 2009. “That very quickly turned into a more permanent use of the technology,” he said. “It was immediately clear that their technology could save us so much money compared to conventional hot repairs that we could not afford to ignore it.

“We have a wide range of tools in the box when it comes to road repairs, but with a rural county like ours Velocity is an integral part of our approach and is an absolutely perfect solution in terms of good value for money, fast response and maintaining safety.

“As with most councils during the extremely tough economic climate, Dorset is cash-strapped. At the same time, we’ve suffered consecutive very challenging freeze-thaw winters, causing water to seep down into cracks, with potholes forming as a result.

“Until we took on Velocity’s expertise, the backlog of defects was overwhelming. Thanks to Velocity, we are able to carry out a blend of preventative and reactive maintenance ensuring that we effectively manage the backlog of defects and meet the vast majority of target timescales, a situation that is certainly not replicated in other areas, as nationally there is clearly a huge problem.

“Carrying out a repair in a matter of minutes minimises traffic disruption so Velocity also helps with public perception. In addition, the process is cold mix and cold lay, generating significant carbon savings compared to conventional methods, so environmentally and in other respects velocity is a real winner for us.”

APSE assistant chief executive Mark Bramah said: “When public finances are squeezed it is more important than ever that local councils are able to demonstrate to local taxpayers that they take value for money seriously. By benchmarking with other councils these winners have shown that they are providing both excellent frontline services and value for money for local citizens.”

Velocity Sales manager Phill Lewis added: “We are delighted that Dorset see Velocity technology as such an integral part of their road maintenance commitments – and congratulate the Highways team on winning a prestigious award.”

The Reece Group is the holding company for a number of innovative north east engineering businesses – including Pearson Engineering and Pearson Engineering Services, Velocity UK and Responsive Engineering Group – operating in the defence, subsea and construction markets.

The group’s strategy is focused on expanding the business in existing and new markets, both organically and through acquisition, creating employment and wealth in the North East of England.

In fact, in these times of austerity and cut-backs, Velocity is the watchword for cost-effective permanent road repair solutions and long-term preventative programmes.

Successive bad winters of freeze-thaw-freeze have left Britain’s roads pockmarked with suspension-jarring potholes, with the Local Government Association warning that another cold winter will cause serious damage to the road network at a time when they report that nearly half a billion pounds has been cut from highways maintenance budgets.

But Velocity promise to swiftly make permanent repairs at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. Armed with their specialist machines, the company’s three-man teams are capable of carrying out up to 150 long-lasting pothole repairs each day.

It was Velocity’s emphasis on a get-it-right-first-time policy on long-term repairs that sealed a major contract repairing Cheshire roads in 2012.

Three of the company’s state-of-the-art machines and highly-skilled teams spent the summer months tackling a legacy of road defects on the highways of Cheshire.

“As with most other counties, a series of bad winters had resulted in a considerable deterioration of the Cheshire East road network,” explained Mark Swindells, area manager for Cheshire East Highways. “There were too many to deal with by conventional methods, so we gave Velocity the job after researching the most efficient way of repairing a large number of legacy potholes.

“This was our first time with Velocity but it was a very positive experience, so much so that we’ve already taken them on for additional work.

“We combined our local knowledge with their area of expertise to successfully carry out a significant programme of repairs. From my point of view, Velocity does what it says on the tin. They make permanent pothole repairs very successfully.

“What really impressed me about them was when I met the team manning the vehicles. It was clear that their operatives were very experienced and knowledgeable in their field. That meant we could rely on them to get on with their task with limited supervision. I would certainly recommend them.”

The Velocity process isn’t just used to remove defects either, as it is an excellent preventative tool to halt road surface deterioration. Equally suitable for rural and urban roads, the system can also be adapted for repairs to potholes, edge deterioration, haunching, depressions, cracking, crazing and extending the life of worn conventional repairs.

For more details about Velocity’s services call Phill Lewis on 0191 565 4400 to arrange a free trial.

It has now snapped up the remaining half of the £7m turnover Velocity.

John Reece, chairman of Reece Group, said: “We acquired 50% of Velocity last summer with a view to acquiring the remaining 50% later.

“In the meantime, our subsidiary, Pearson Engineering Services, has worked closely with the Velocity manufacturing team to make the production process ready for larger volumes.

“There is potential for significant overseas expansion. There are potholes in roads all over the world and the Velocity vehicles provide an excellent solution, particularly at a time when there is pressure on public expenditure.”

The Velocity machines can patch up to 150 potholes per day and are exported worldwide. Reece now aims to team up with partners or franchisees abroad who have specialist knowledge of their markets.

Reece Group finance director Phil Kite said: “Velocity already has vehicles in production in South Africa and the Gulf, with interest from other countries. However, in order to fulfil the potential for expansion of the overseas business, significant further funding is required.

“Therefore, it made sense for Reece Group to take full ownership and make the further investment required.”

Velocity originally linked up with Pearson last year because it was struggling to meet demand and also wanted to take advantage of the research and development capability of the larger business.

Suspension-jarring, bike-toppling, ankle-turning potholes are the bane of road users and local authorities alike.

The Local Government Association says some 2.2 million were filled in last year – but not before they had done £3 billion worth of damage to the nation’s cars, according to the Automobile Association.

The Government claims it is doing its bit to plug the gaps, with Transport Minister Norman Baker pledging £3 billion to councils for road maintenance between 2011 and 2015.

But the Asphalt Industry Alliance recently reported that it will take 11 years and £10 billion to clear up Britain’s existing pothole problem – and that figure stretches to 17 years in Wales.

Local authorities rightly point to shrinking budgets, with the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee calculating that councils have been asked to cut a collective £223 million from this year’s roads maintenance budget.

The jarring combination of an increasing number of potholes brought on by harsh winters and a decreasing repairs fund resulting from nationwide cut-backs has left many councils seemingly stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Despite authorities filling in potholes galore, the backlog is growing. But road repair specialists Velocity believe they have the answer to the problem. In fact, you might stay they have the hole solution!

Manned by a highly-skilled operator and driver, Velocity’s fully self-contained vehicles can tackle a problem that blights road-users throughout the country far quicker than conventional road repair methods – and at a fraction of the cost.

As the industry’s only operator adhering to the National Highway Sector Scheme’s code of practice for velocity patching, the Sunderland-based market leaders are confident their speedy and long-lasting alternative to traditional road repairs could dramatically reduce the waiting time if more local councils follow the lead of Kent, Hertfordshire, Northumberland, Stirling and many other forward-thinking highways authorities that use Velocity’s expert road repair services.

Velocity’s machines can permanently repair a pothole in about two minutes – a fraction of the time it usually takes a conventional repair gang to do the job manually.

And the use of high-speed patching techniques means the vehicles are capable of carrying out up to 150 long-lasting pothole repairs each day. Northumberland County Council was able to repair between 750 and 800 per week last year.

It’s a winning combination that has already attracted business from local authorities throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Kent County Council is another satisfied customer. Highway District Manager Steve Rivers said: “Our Highways team has been using Velocity’s high pressure patching process across the county for a number of years. Over this time, a greater understanding of the process and its benefits has allowed it to be targeted to work effectively, to provide long term and durable repairs to the rural road network. This type of repair can be carried out quickly, reducing disruption to traffic and I believe it is a valuable addition to our toolkit.”

Stirling Council Team Leader Stephen Todd added: “Stirling Council has benefited from using the Velocity repair process for more than seven years now. It has proved to be the most efficient way to deal with potholes on our road network.

“Prior to using Velocity, Stirling Council had tried various other methods of dealing with potholes. We have found that by using a Velocity machine we have reduced the cost of each repair, while also being able to get a greater output compared to any traditional method.”

According to the AIA, the average pothole repair ranges from £35 in Wales to £55 in England, with around £90m spent on pothole work last year. But Velocity’s UK Sales Manager Phill Lewis says an average Velocity repair will cost around £18.

Mr Lewis said: “The 2010 winter of freeze-thaw-freeze left the UK’s roads riddled with potholes, with estimates of 1.6 million nationally. This winter wasn’t as bad but the tell-tale signs are there again. Without preventative maintenance budgets as a result of the national cut-backs, it’s understandable that local authorities are struggling to catch up with the backlog.

“Velocity’s machines can carry out fast and efficient repairs, which mean shorter road closures and improved public perception. They also tick the right box when it comes to sustainability and the challenge of reducing the highways’ carbon footprint. As we don’t need to cut out repairs, there is less waste and fewer trips to landfill, while the process is 100% cold applied.

“Given that our vehicles can make such dramatically improved repairs compared to conventional methods, we could make major inroads into the pothole backlog if more highways authorities followed the lead of those already working with us.

“Many authorities use a repair gang to fill in the potholes, but our machines can carry out a better, longer-lasting repair in a fraction of the time for a fraction of the cost. I would advise those who haven’t tried our process to contact us. We would be delighted to show them first hand its many benefits and cost effectiveness.”

A report this week from industry experts, the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), noted that it will take more than a decade for England’s local authorities and 17 years for those in Wales to fill in potholes because of the huge backlog of road repairs.

Despite authorities filling in 1.7 million potholes last year, the backlog is growing – but Velocity are confident they could dramatically reduce the waiting time if more local councils followed the lead of Kent, Hertfordshire, Northumberland and many other forward-thinking highways authorities that use Velocity’s road repair services.

Sunderland-based Velocity’s fully self-contained vehicles can tackle a problem that blights road-users throughout the country far quicker than conventional road repair methods – and at a fraction of the cost.

Manned by two highly-skilled operators, their vehicles can permanently repair a pothole in about two minutes – a fraction of the time it usually takes a conventional repair gang to do the job manually.

Northumberland County Council was able to repair between 750 and 800 per week last year.

According to the AIA, the average pothole repair ranges from £35 in Wales to £55 in England, with around £90m spent on pothole work last year.

But Velocity’s UK Sales Manager Phill Lewis says an average Velocity repair will cost just £18.

Mr Lewis said: “Our last winter of freeze-thaw-freeze left the UK’s roads riddled with new potholes, with estimates of 1.6 million nationally. This winter wasn’t as bad but, as a result of the national cut-backs, local authorities are struggling to catch up with the backlog.

“Velocity’s machines can carry out fast and efficient repairs, which mean shorter road closures and improved public perception.

“Given that our vehicles can make such dramatically improved repairs compared to conventional methods, it’s clear that we could make major inroads into the pothole backlog if more highways authorities followed the lead of those already working with us.”

And he called for the Government to provide authorities with increased funds to help with road repairs.

Although the Government gave an extra £200m to councils to help towards the problem, the AIA report claims the amount “has proven woefully inadequate”, suggesting it would take a one-off cost of around £10bn to get roads back into reasonable condition.

Mr Lewis commented: “Although the extra funds are welcome, they are not nearly enough. Compensation claims are soaring, placing greater burdens on already strained council budgets.

“Many authorities use a repair gang to fill in the potholes, but our machines can carry out a better, longer-lasting repair in a fraction of the time for a fraction of the cost.”

Designed and built in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Velocity’s machines use high-velocity air to clean potholes, seal the defect and introduce a specially-formulated mix of aggregates and bitumen emulsions. The process leaves a permanent, level repair that is instantly ready to take vehicles of up to 40 tonnes. As heat is not involved in its application, this greener method involves exceptionally low CO2 emissions. The process produces minimal waste material and causes no further damage to the road base. The process isn’t just used to remove defects, as it is an excellent preventative tool to halt road surface deterioration.

• Potholes are formed by water seeping through cracks in the asphalt surface of a road. When temperatures plunge, the water freezes, expands and causes the road surface to rupture. The ice then melts, leaving a space below the surface, which caves in under the stress of vehicles and eventually forms a pothole.
• Last year an army of AA streetwatchers said England now had an average of 14.9 potholes per neighbourhood, with the North-East the worst with an average of 19 per neighbourhood.
• The AA also reported that pothole-related claims were up 400%.