Derbyshire has the most potholes per region according to new data from breakdown service RAC. In total, it was revealed through a Freedom of Information request that the county has 90,596, followed some way behind by Lancashire (67,439) and Northumberland (51,703).
As the Government pledges £75 million to repair potholes across the East Midlands, Future of Roads Minister – and Nottingham South MP – Lilian Greenwood is due to visit JCB Power Systems at Foston to see the cutting-edge technology, which is helping councils tackle potholes.
Derbyshire is set to benefit from a share of the Government’s £1.6 billion investment to resurface across England with an additional £20 million for the East Midlands County Combined Authority, which includes the county.
At the JCB Power Systems factory, Ms Greenwood will speak to engineers to learn about the latest innovations being used to tackle the pothole plague. She will operate JCB’s Pothole Pro, a machine that can fix a pothole in eight minutes, at a cost of around £30. The Pothole Pro is currently used in 20 local authorities.
She will also meet with local leaders to discuss their plans for filling potholes to deliver safer, quicker and less costly journeys for all road users in Derbyshire. This is part of the Government’s plans to work more closely with local authorities to ensure they have the powers to spend it where their communities need it most.
Ms Greenwood said: “Potholes are a clear sign of decline in our infrastructure, and for too long roads like those in Derbyshire have been left in a state which endangers and costs road users.
“It’s time for change and we are investing £1.6 billion to fix up to seven million more potholes across England next year, including over £75 million for the East Midlands Combined Authority. JCB’s Pothole Pro is one of the many great examples of using new technology to repair potholes faster and demonstrates how companies are harnessing new technology to repair potholes faster.”
Ben Rawding, general manager of municipalities at JCB, said the company was looking forward to showing the minister the equipment. He said: “The minister will see the benefits that innovation and technology can deliver in tackling the plague of potholes in our country.
“Last month’s announcement by the Department of Transport of £1.6 billion of funding for road repairs in England during 2025 is very welcome.
“Our appeal to the minister will be for this funding to be spent wisely to ensure permanent long-term repairs become the priority for local authorities, making best use of value-adding, productive technology, such as the JCB Pothole Pro.”
Last week Derbyshire’s highways chief said the Government’s claim that £75 million will be set aside to to repair the roads in the county and Nottinghamshire is “smoke and mirrors” – claiming most of the money simply reflects a usual maintenance grant.
Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for highways assets and transport at Conservative-led Derbyshire County Council, claims the county council which oversees the county’s roads is still waiting on clarity over the exact amount it is likely to receive.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on December 20 that it is to provide £1.6 billion towards road maintenance to be divided between each relevant highways council – with nearly £76m being allocated for the East Midlands Combined County Authority to share across Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council.
But Ms Cupit said: “I’m afraid the Prime Minister’s warm words alone won’t fill potholes or resurface roads. The announcement by the Government of the highways funding allocations for next year just before Christmas sadly seems to be largely smoke and mirrors and far from a present.”