Staffordshire County Council’s brand-new Pothole Pro has clocked on for its first shift – on the doorstep of the JCB factory where it was produced.

The machine was manufactured at JCB Heavy Products in Beamhurst, Uttoxeter, right next to the A522 Uttoxeter Road where we are currently undertaking major road improvements.

The improvement works include resurfacing the roundabout outside the JCB factory - with the JCB Pothole Pro playing a pivotal role. It’s all part of the county council’s £30 million investment into larger repairs and road resurfacing over the next two years.

The Pothole Pro will soon be making its way around the county, helping to repair defects as part of a larger £5 million investment in pothole repairs.

Summer is here and with the generally good weather, we will be stepping up our road repair programme, and making the most of the £30 million that is being invested in maintaining and improving Staffordshire highways over the next two years.

Just as crews are working hard on our roads, officers are also working hard to ensure that works on the highway are coordinated and delivered with the least disruption to road users. It's no mean feat to coordinate works on 6,000km of road.

Where possible we encourage joint working between our crews, and those of utility companies such as water and electric. We also try to ensure that major works (especially in close vicinity to schools) are carried out during half-terms and school holidays when the traffic is generally lighter. In some cases though, emergency works need to be carried out at very short notice, which takes a lot of coordinating and means joint working isn't always possible. 

Our weed spraying programme is under way across the county, where our sub-contractors are tackling weeds in order to maintain visibility, prevent structural damage to the road structure and improve safety for road users.

Weed spraying is an important routine maintenance activity for Staffordshire Highways, especially in the summer when the warm (and sometimes damp) weather can cause them to grow and spread rapidly. Local councils often enhance the level of service by undertaking their own weed spraying operations to help maintain and improve the appearance of the local area. 

The 2023 weed spraying programme can be viewed on our programmes page. 

FAQs

When do you weed spray?

Routine activities to control the growth of weeds within the highway take place every growing season, with one single treatment between April and August. We have recently increased the frequency of our weed spraying, meaning we now treat weeds three times a year in April/May, July/August and October/November.

Weed spraying is weather dependant which means that there can be a slight delay to the programme. 

Where do you weed spray?

In rural areas, for roads with a speed limit of 40 mph and above, existing weeds along the kerb and channel will be treated. In urban areas for roads with a speed limit of 30 mph and below, we will spray the kerb, channel and the back of the footway (pavement) where a hard edge such as a fence or wall exists, if weeds are present. 

What chemicals do you use?

Due to regulations associated with the toxicity of weed spraying chemicals, the solution used by our contractors is very mild and is only effective on growing plants. New weeds that grow following the treatment will be unaffected by the chemical. 

More information about weed control can be found on our website. 

On Wednesday 19^th July the county council's Rights of Way team and members of Amey Construction came together to carry out some works in Bishops Wood, using Amey's Social Impact Day. 

Eccleshall Parish Council sought support to improve the experience of those visiting the wood which has the remains of a medieval glassworks, animal sculptures, wood statues and tubular bells, as well as many species of trees, shrubs and wildlife.

Staffordshire County Council, Amey, Forestry England, and Eccleshall Parish Council have worked together to have eight new posts installed (with further posts being installed in the future) which provide walkers with clear signed routes within Bishops Wood.

The 352 hectares of Bishops Wood is located to the north west of Eccleshall and has been a favourite walking area for residents of Eccleshall and visitors for centuries. Owned by the Diocese of Lichfield, the wood is leased to the Forestry Commission who carry out logging and tree maintenance.

This is a great example of how by working with local organisations and communities, we can create something that will benefit everyone. And if you're out walking in Bishops Wood, feel free to check the posts out yourself.