Before the repair work has been done and after the application of Elasto-mastic patching to repair and seal the road surface
Our 3 pothole repair techniques include:
- elasto-mastic patching
- thermal road repairs
- jetpatchers using spray injection patching
Alongside these approaches, we also use traditional pothole repair techniques including hot boxes - heated trailers filled with liquid Tarmac and bitumen - to carry out repairs.
Our programme of small scale patching and resurfacing works are also continuing on roads where, despite repeat visits and repairs, potholes have kept reopening on the surface.
At these sites we replace the top layers of the surface across either a lane or the full width of the road, laying a new smooth surface with new lining. This provides a permanent, long-term repair.
Elasto-mastic flexible patching
This flexible product can be used to patch multiple potholes on a stretch of road, creating a smooth surface.
Our team identify suitable sites to use the product as part of their regular checks.
The material has a high recycled rubber content, from old lorry tyres, and is more elastic than traditional asphalt, giving a long lasting, permanent repair.
It is poured onto the road surface, filling potholes and large cracks.
The product creates a sealed surface with no joints, which is ideal as it prevents water from getting in and causing damage to the surface and structure of the road, which can cause potholes.
We also use the treatment on roads we have already patched, applying the product around the edges of our repairs to give a permanent and long-lasting repair, preventing water getting into the surface.
During the 2026/2027 financial year, we intend to use the treatment at 55 sites.
Sites where repairs were completed during March 2026:
- Hognaston, unnamed section of road, 20sqm, Wirksworth electoral division
- Hognaston, unnamed road from Carsington, 81sqm, Wirksworth electoral division
- Carsington, unnamed road from Carsington, 30sqm, Wirksworth electoral division
- Carsington, unnamed road from Carsington, 16sqm, Wirksworth electoral division
- Gibfield Lane, Belper, 21sqm, completed 6 March 2026, South Belper and Holbrook electoral division
- Gibfield Lane, Belper, 3sqm, South Belper and Holbrook electoral division
- Millfield Lane, 40sqm
- Monyash, The Square, 44sqm, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Monyash, The Rake, 99sqm, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Monyash, Church Street, 2sqm, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Monyash, The Rake, 20sqm, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Monyash, The Rake, 36sqm, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Hill Close, 79sqm, Alport and Duffield
- Highwood Avenue, 67sqm, South Belper and Holbrook electoral division
- Melbourne, Dunnicliffe Lane, 41sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- The Woodlands, 42sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Castle Lane, 39sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Castle Lane, 18sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Potter Street, 25sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Victoria Street, 8sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Victoria Street, 28sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Queensway, 2.5sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Main Street, Kings Newton, 56sqm, Melbourne and Woodville electoral division
- Spring Rise, Simmondley, Glossop, 55sqm, Glossop South electoral division
- Green Bank, Simmondley, Glossop, 42sqm, Glossop South electoral division
- Whaley Bridge, Macclesfield Road, 138sqm, Whaley Bridge electoral division
- Bakewell Road, Matlock, 62sqm, Matlock electoral division
- Main Road, Eyam, 1sqm, Bakewell electoral division
- Hawkhill Road, Eyam, 5.5sqm, Bakewell electoral division
- Town Head, Eyam, 10.5sqm, Bakewell electoral division
- Main Road, Eyam, 14.5sqm, Bakewell electoral division
- Church Street, Eyam, 4.5sqm, Bakewell electoral division
Sites surveyed and programmed for repairs during April/May/June, depending on other work priorities:
- Ashbourne, Park Avenue, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Ashbourne, Cokayne Avenue, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Ashbourne, Park Road, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Ashbourne, North Avenue, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Ashbourne, Sturston Road, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Ashbourne, Belle Vue Road, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Ashbourne, Dove House Green, Dovedale and Ashbourne North electoral division
- Breadsall, Ford Lane, Breadsall and West Hallam electoral division
- Holme Hall, Atlow Close, Linacre and Loundsley Green electoral division
- Holme Hall, Oldridge Close, Linacre and Loundsley Green electoral division
- Holme Hall, Foston Drive, Linacre and Loundsley Green electoral division
- Franklyn Road, Brockwell, Spire electoral division
- Darwin Road, Brockwell, Spire electoral division
- Holmebank West, Brockwell, Spire electoral division
Sites awaiting surveys with work expected to be completed during summer 2026, subject to survey information and site suitability:
- St Helen's Close, Grindleford, Bakewell electoral division
- Fairfield Road, Brockwell, Spire electoral division
- Hawksley Avenue, Chesterfield, Spire electoral division
- Madin Street, Chesterfield, Spire electoral division
- New Queen Street, Chesterfield, Spire electoral division
- Edinburgh Road, Newbold, Dunston electoral division
- Highfield Road, Newbold, Dunston electoral division
- Trinity Close, Newbold, Dunston electoral division
Thermal road repairs
We use the thermal repair technique to permanently fix potholes and surface cracking on our roads.
We apply high-intensity heat where a pothole has formed to soften the existing asphalt surface, up to a depth of 70mm.
This allows the damaged part of the road surface to be worked on, without the need for full excavation, which takes time causing delays for road users.
If some of the road surface has been washed or swept away by traffic, we add extra asphalt to restore level the surface of the road.
We then level the material and compact the area to create a seamless, waterproof joint-free finish.
Once cooled, the repair is fully bonded to the road surface, and is as strong as the existing road.
Key benefits of this repair technique include:
- reduced need for new materials as we recycle the existing road surface
- faster repair times, minimising disruption to road users
- a permanent repair compared with traditional cold applied 'throw-and-roll' repairs
- a smoother journey as there are no joints across the road surface
We will start using this technique in town centres and residential areas across the county from June 2026, with up to 4 crews working countywide until April 2027.
The teams will prioritise reactive maintenance work like pothole repairs.
Jetpatchers (spray injection patching)
Jetpatching, also known as spray injection patching, is a highly effective way to repair potholes on rural and lightly trafficked roads.
A jetpatcher is a large and complex pothole repair machine which is operated by to 2 people. We have appointed Velocity as our contractor to carry out repairs using jetpatchers.
The machine delivers a high-pressure air jet to thoroughly clean the pothole, removing loose debris and moisture.
A binder (bitumen emulsion) is then sprayed into the pothole, followed by the injection of aggregate like sand and crushed stone. The materials are then compacted under high pressure to create a bonded repair to the surrounding road surface.
The process is ideally suited to quieter, rural areas as the mechanical process can create noise and some dust.
Key benefits of this repair technique include:
- rapid, mobile repair solution suitable for rural roads due to the size of the machinery
- effective in damp conditions due to integrated cleaning process
- reduced need for traffic management, reducing delays for road users
- cost-efficient solution for roads with a number of potholes
We plan to introduce 2 jetpatching units in June 2026, operating in the north and south of the county to support our rural road maintenance programme.