Speedy pothole repair technique using latest infrared technology is tested out in Milton Keynes

The technique was first developed by a local company in Bletchley and works by heating up the existing asphalt

around the pothole using an infrared unit.

This makes the material soft enough to mix smoothly with new asphalt to fill the hole. It is then compressed using a wacker machine and as it cools, it blends into the existing surface.

MK Council says the method is more efficient as it uses less material to fix the pothole and helps to create a more

seamless patch on the surface. This prevents surface water from seeping in and, after as little as 30 minutes, it can be ready for traffic to drive over.

To maintain the original look and feel of the city centre, white chippings will be added into the road repair material, recycled from other roadworks. These are special chippings only used in CMK road surfaces.

The pothole repairs are part of a wider CMK makeover taking place throughout March coordinating landscaping, parking bay line repainting and fixing damaged underpass lights.

The were revealed by the council days after the Citizen published criticism about the quality of pothole repairs using the current turbo spray injection system.

Conservative councillors say repaired potholes are collapsing and crumbling withing weeks. They are now asking the Labour-led MK Council to review all repairs carried out over the past couple of years using these Spray Injection Patching machines. You can read the Citizen story here .

Councillor Emily Darlington, Labour's Cabinet Member for Public Realm said today: “We’ve made an extra £50k

available on top of the £100k already set aside for tackling potholes. We’re always looking at how we can do as much as possible within our limited budget."

She added: "This infrared technique will not only help to save on materials, which is good for the environment,

but it also means we can fill more potholes too.”

The pothole repairs will continue throughout March on sections of roads around the city centre area.