New 13-tonne machine set to boost Flintshire pothole fixes

Flintshire County Council has launched a new approach to tackling potholes with the deployment of the JCB Pot-Hole Pro, a 13-tonne machine aimed at improving the speed and durability of road repairs.

Active since April, the Pot-Hole Pro has been used across the county, including in Rhosesmor and Cilcain, where its swift process of cutting, cropping, and cleaning road damage has enabled council teams to work more effectively.

Councillor Glyn Banks, Cabinet member for Streetscene and Transportation, said the machine is crucial for keeping road maintenance efficient as budgets tighten.

“Investments like this are essential to modernising services and ensuring that we can continue to maintain and improve our infrastructure in the most cost-effective way possible,” he said.

He added that the council’s strategy is to prioritise sustainable infrastructure improvements, even in challenging financial conditions.

The Pot-Hole Pro is part of an “invest to save” approach that Flintshire hopes will reduce the frequency of repairs and provide longer-lasting road surfaces.

By allowing the machine to complete the initial stages of pothole repairs—such as cutting and preparing damaged areas in as little as eight minutes—the council expects to save both time and resources.

It also reduces the risks of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) for operatives, limiting physical strain while delivering more durable repairs.

Carolyn Thomas, Member of the Senedd for North Wales, expressed support for Flintshire’s approach and called for increased road funding at the local level.

“It is great to see Flintshire County Council utilising innovative solutions such as the Pot-Hole Pro to maintain highways across the county,” she said.

Ms Thomas added that local authorities’ expertise in highways should be supported by greater control over spending, ensuring residents benefit from the most effective road solutions.

This new equipment arrives as Flintshire faces another season of road demands, following one of the wettest winters on record.

The council reports that the Pot-Hole Pro has already helped improve travel conditions on the A451 and the Tesco roundabouts in Mold, providing residents with a smoother, safer driving experience.