Powys County Council’s highways teams have taken delivery of a new machine designed to help tackle potholes and improve the quality of road repairs across the county.

The first Pothole Pro machine has arrived as part of the council’s £2.5 million investment in highways maintenance and will be used to support repairs across Powys’ 5,500km road network.

Rather than simply filling damaged areas, the machine prepares road surfaces before repairs are carried out. It cuts, crops and cleans defects more effectively, allowing crews to complete repairs which the council says should be stronger and longer-lasting.

The machine is not intended to replace other maintenance work or provide an immediate solution to every road problem, but will form part of a wider programme alongside resurfacing, drainage improvements and structural repairs.

Highways staff are currently receiving specialist training before the machine enters service. Two further Pothole Pro machines are expected to join the council’s fleet once they have been manufactured and delivered.

Council leader Cllr Jake Berriman said: "Our residents rightly expect to see improvements to the county's roads and this investment is helping us deliver exactly that.

"The arrival of the first Pothole Pro demonstrates how we are combining investment in modern technology with the expertise of our highways teams to support stronger, longer-lasting repairs across Powys.

"I'd also like to thank Gary Bowen of WW Bowen Ltd for arranging the initial demonstration of the technology, which helped officers and members see first-hand the benefits it could bring to our communities."

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, deputy leader, said the new equipment was “another positive step” in the council’s investment in local infrastructure.

"Alongside training our staff, we are investing in modern equipment that will help our highways teams work more efficiently and effectively, supporting better outcomes for residents over the long term,” he said.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, cabinet member for a Greener Powys, added that maintaining roads remained a priority and the machine would give highways teams “an additional tool” to deliver more durable repairs.

The council said the Pothole Pro would begin operating across the county once training was complete.