Minister marks National Pothole Day with visit to JCB Factory to try out ‘Pothole Pro’
- Perry Richardson
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 16
Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood is commemorating National Pothole Day (15 January) with a visit to the JCB Power Systems factory near Derby. The visit highlights the Government’s commitment to improving road conditions across England, supported by a record-breaking £1.6 billion investment in highway maintenance.
Derbyshire, identified by the RAC as England’s worst area for potholes, stands to gain significantly from this funding. This includes an additional £20 million allocated to the East Midlands County Combined Authority. The funding will enable local councils to repair up to seven million more potholes, enhancing road safety and cutting repair costs.
During the factory tour, the Minister will see JCB’s innovative ‘Pothole Pro’ in action. Capable of repairing a pothole in just eight minutes at a cost of £30, the machine is already in use across 20 local authorities. Greenwood will also operate the equipment and meet engineers to understand how this technology is helping councils address the pothole issue more efficiently.
The visit includes discussions with local leaders on their strategies to fix Derbyshire’s roads. The Government aims to work more closely with councils to ensure funding is used effectively to meet local needs.
This initiative forms part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change, focused on delivering safer, smoother, and more cost-effective journeys for drivers. By investing in road infrastructure and innovative solutions, the Government seeks to reduce delays, save motorists money, and deliver on its promises to improve transport networks.
Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister, 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 7 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.
“We’ll continue to engage with local leaders and industry to ensure innovations are being used to deliver roads the country deserves.”
Ben Rawding, General Manager, Municipalities at JCB, said: “We are looking forward to introducing the Minister to 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.”
