Investing in Borough roads and leading the way with revolutionary road repair technology
With nearly 3,000 pothole repairs carried out in the last year and more than £90million committed over the next four years to maintain highways, Telford & Wrekin Council is showing its determination to continually improve the condition of Borough roads.
The Council is deploying more crews to help and is exploring alternative methods to repair roads with the introduction of Roadmender Elastomac. The innovative, sustainable and cost-effective system will complement the Council’s existing methods, offering an additional solution that can transform the way certain defects on our highways and footways are repaired.
Elastomac is a rubber modified, permanent repair material that combines innovation with sustainability. While it will not be the right approach for every situation, using it alongside traditional methods enables the Council to select the most efficient and environmentally friendly solution for each type of road defect.
Recent freeze–thaw cycles – with temperatures dipping below zero and then rising sharply – have led to a seasonal spike in pothole formation. This is a normal winter process: water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands the road surface, then thaws leaving a void. Vehicles then break down the weakened surface, and prolonged periods of cold exacerbate the process. To mitigate the current period of sustained bad weather, the Council has put out extra crews to work on repairs.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said: “The wet, freezing weather is creating serious issues on road conditions across the country. Although as a Council we’ve been named as one of the top eight for reducing potholes over the last four years (by motoring experts Blackcircles) and we’re also among the highest performing Councils in the region according to the National Highways and Transport survey, the only opinions that really matter to us are our residents and businesses.
“We know road conditions are not up to the standards we all want due to the extreme weather and pothole repairs and resurfacing is needed and we are absolutely committed to carrying out this work as quickly and effectively as possible. We received 1,749 reports of potholes during the last 12 months but actually repaired nearly 3,000 which shows how proactive we are to trying to get the job done.
“By adopting Roadmender Elastomac as part of our broader repair toolkit, we are investing in a cleaner, faster, and more cost effective solution that benefits both our residents and the environment. This is more than road maintenance, it’s a big step forward in how we care for our Borough."
Each tonne of Elastomac contains up to nine recycled end of life tyres, turning waste into a valuable resource while reducing landfill and cutting carbon emissions.
Traditional repair techniques often require excavation, transport of materials and more energy intensive processes, which can produce significantly higher emissions. Where suitable, Elastomac offers an environmentally efficient alternative, helping the council reduce its overall carbon footprint while continuing to deliver long lasting, safe repairs.
Unlike excavation based methods, Elastomac offers a non-invasive process. Potholes, cracks, joints and kerb channel defects can be filled and sealed using a durable, fast setting rubberised mastic. Roads can be reopened to traffic in as little as five to ten minutes, helping minimise disruption for residents and businesses.
Alongside the daily pothole response, the Council is delivering a programme of 25 road improvement schemes across the borough. These include both full resurfacing works and surface treatments designed to extend the life of roads and prevent future potholes. The programme covers 13 areas, including Lawley, Madeley & Sutton Hill, Haygate & Park, Wrockwardine, Priorslee, Admaston & Bratton and more.
These planned works ensure that, in addition to repairing potholes caused by winter weather, the council continues to invest in long term improvements to its road network.
The Council is reassuring road users that its highways teams are working daily across the Borough, supported by innovative repair techniques that allow more defects to be fixed, faster where appropriate.
Residents can report potholes directly via www.telford.gov.uk/potholes. Reports go straight to the teams and help the Council respond more effectively.