More than 1,000 potholes being repaired weekly across Cambridgeshire - thanks to three fiery ‘dragons’
County’s potholes go up in smoke as two new ‘dragons’ fly in - Credit: Archant
More than 1,000 potholes are being repaired across the county per week thanks to the fire of three ‘dragons’.
Councillor Bill Hunt, vice-chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways committee said that thanks to three specialist machines, known as ‘dragon patchers’, potholes are becoming a thing of the past.
He said: “We all know and realise what a nightmare potholes can be.
“We are now repairing over 1,000 potholes per week and the dragons are doing their best to make pothole misery a thing of the past and last year’s news.”
Since January, the county’s first dragon patcher has made almost 7,000 repairs to potholes and larger patches across Cambridgeshire.
Each of the three machines can repair up to 150 potholes a day, and is faster and quieter than traditional methods.
Nicknamed the ‘dragon’ because it fires out flames to dry out the road surface, it is then cleaned with compressed air and sealed with a stone mix and hot bitumen.
Most Read
- 1 EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt ‘to work at restaurant in Cambridgeshire’
- 2 Mike Rouse, councillor, former mayor and historian, dies aged 82
- 3 Inferno BBQ to be occupied by sister company Forbidden Burger Co
- 4 'A little talent very thinly spread' Mike Rouse, in his own words
- 5 Mike Rouse: A lifetime's passion for books and literature
- 6 Table made from 5,000-year-old oak tree to be unveiled at Ely Cathedral in honour of The Queen
- 7 Soham tribute to 'honest, funny, intelligent and understanding human being'
- 8 Middlesbrough couple found in Cambs with drugs worth around £37,000
- 9 Superintendent dons rainbow helmet against hate crime on #IDAHOBIT
- 10 See inside this £1.7m country house with its own lake near Ely
Councillor Mathew Shuter, chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways and community infrastructure committee, said: “We’ve been working hard to restore our roads following the damage done by the Beast from the East and the severe weather we had earlier this year.
“We are really pleased to have these two new dragon patchers which arrived in the county this month.
“We have learnt from the previous winter and have already made changes to the way we repair the potholes so we’re ready for this winter and these dragons will help us in our battle.
“They’re around five times faster than traditional methods and also mobile which is particularly good for rural areas and can do more work for the money.
“Our roads are important to us and we continue to maintain our roads and carry out regular inspections to ensure they are in a good condition.”
To report a pothole or problem on the road visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults/