Latest news with #PotholePro
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Pothole fixing machine 'not worth it' for West Lothian due to problems with winter repairs
The Pothole Pro has been promoted by the opposition SNP group as the answer to the almost £2m problem of fixing the county's roads. A pothole fixing machine would not be worth the cost as it would sit idle for much of West Lothian's winter, councillors heard this week. The Pothole Pro has been promoted by the opposition SNP group as the answer to the almost £2m problem of fixing the county's roads. But winter weather and staffing demands makes the £165,000 machine impracticable to use for much of the year, say Operational Services staff. The device, built around a JCB earth mover platform, combines three machines in one and can repair a pothole in less than eight minutes - four times quicker than standard methods and at half the cost of current solutions. Linlithgow Councillor Pauline Orr tabled a series of questions around the cost of pothole repair and use of the Pro machine at this week's meeting of the full council. She said: 'I have been told by officers that this equipment would sit idle over the winter and poor weather periods. This is contrary to the feedback of other Scottish councils who use it all year round and who have made significant savings in terms of time and cost for this type of work. What evidence do you have to support this?' Tom Conn, Labour's Executive Councillor for the Environment, told the meeting that pothole patching is not effective at low temperatures, and the roads department has significant staffing and resource demands through the winter months. The meeting heard that there had been 3,522 enquiries about potholes last year. There were 32 complaints about potholes in the same year. Councillor Conn said that keeping roads and footways clear was the priority of roads staff throughout the winter months. 'Winter is not the most appropriate time to carry out such work as wind speed, road surface temperature and moisture affect bituminous materials. The ground should be dry as moisture can affect the bonds of materials.' He added: ' Over the previous five winters roads and transportation have averaged around 70 days of winter treatments per year This is around 65% of working days in winter dedicated to winter maintenance treatments.' Other evidence suggested that the Pothole Pro would not be usable for 85% of the time during the winter months because of adverse weather conditions and staff demands. He added: 'Cost comparisons are more difficult to determine as they are not like for like.' The objective of traditional methods is to improve the lifespan and condition and conditions of the roads. This varies greatly. Scottish Borders Council drafted in two Pothole Pro machines last year to carry out road repairs to its roads citing cost savings compared to using traditional methods. The Pothole Pro costs around £165,000 to buy but can be hired for £600 a month. Last year West Lothian spent £1.9m on road repairs. Councillor Orr asked for all answers to be provided in writing adding: 'I'm really deeply disappointed that councillor Conn did not supply these answers in writing.
Edinburgh Reporter
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Edinburgh Reporter
Pothole repair machine idle during winter in West Lothian
A pothole fixing machine would not be worth the cost as it would sit idle for much of West Lothian's winter, councillors heard this week. The Pothole Pro has been promoted by the opposition SNP group as the answer to the almost £2m problem of fixing the county's roads. But winter weather and staffing demands makes the £165,000 machine impracticable to use for much of the year, say Operational Services staff. The device, built around a JCB earth mover platform, combines three machines in one and can repair a pothole in less than eight minutes – four times quicker than standard methods and at half the cost of current solutions. Linlithgow Councillor Pauline Orr tabled a series of questions around the cost of pothole repair and use of the Pro machine at this week's meeting of the full council. She said: 'I have been told by officers that this equipment would sit idle over the winter and poor weather periods. This is contrary to the feedback of other Scottish councils who use it all year round and who have made significant savings in terms of time and cost for this type of work. What evidence do you have to support this?' Tom Conn, Labour's Executive Councillor for the Environment, told the meeting that pothole patching is not effective at low temperatures, and the roads department has significant staffing and resource demands through the winter months. The meeting heard that there had been 3,522 enquiries about potholes last year. There were 32 complaints about potholes in the same year. Councillor Conn said that keeping roads and footways clear was the priority of roads staff throughout the winter months. 'Winter is not the most appropriate time to carry out such work as wind speed, road surface temperature and moisture affect bituminous materials. The ground should be dry as moisture can affect the bonds of materials.' He added: 'Over the previous five winters roads and transportation have averaged around 70 days of winter treatments per year This is around 65% of working days in winter dedicated to winter maintenance treatments.' Other evidence suggested that the Pothole Pro would not be usable for 85% of the time during the winter months because of adverse weather conditions and staff demands. He added: 'Cost comparisons are more difficult to determine as they are not like for like.' The objective of traditional methods is to improve the lifespan and condition and conditions of the roads. This varies greatly. Scottish Borders Council drafted in two Pothole Pro machines last year to carry out road repairs to its roads citing cost savings compared to using traditional methods. The Pothole Pro costs around £165,000 to buy but can be hired for £600 a month. Last year West Lothian spent £1.9m on road repairs. Councillor Orr asked for all answers to be provided in writing adding: 'I'm really deeply disappointed that councillor Conn did not supply these answers in writing. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Edinburgh Live
Pothole fixing machine 'not worth it' for West Lothian due to problems with winter repairs
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A pothole fixing machine would not be worth the cost as it would sit idle for much of West Lothian's winter, councillors heard this week. The Pothole Pro has been promoted by the opposition SNP group as the answer to the almost £2m problem of fixing the county's roads. But winter weather and staffing demands makes the £165,000 machine impracticable to use for much of the year, say Operational Services staff. The device, built around a JCB earth mover platform, combines three machines in one and can repair a pothole in less than eight minutes – four times quicker than standard methods and at half the cost of current solutions. Linlithgow Councillor Pauline Orr tabled a series of questions around the cost of pothole repair and use of the Pro machine at this week's meeting of the full council. She said: 'I have been told by officers that this equipment would sit idle over the winter and poor weather periods. This is contrary to the feedback of other Scottish councils who use it all year round and who have made significant savings in terms of time and cost for this type of work. What evidence do you have to support this?' Tom Conn, Labour's Executive Councillor for the Environment, told the meeting that pothole patching is not effective at low temperatures, and the roads department has significant staffing and resource demands through the winter months. The meeting heard that there had been 3,522 enquiries about potholes last year. There were 32 complaints about potholes in the same year. Councillor Conn said that keeping roads and footways clear was the priority of roads staff throughout the winter months. 'Winter is not the most appropriate time to carry out such work as wind speed, road surface temperature and moisture affect bituminous materials. The ground should be dry as moisture can affect the bonds of materials.' He added: ' Over the previous five winters roads and transportation have averaged around 70 days of winter treatments per year This is around 65% of working days in winter dedicated to winter maintenance treatments.' Other evidence suggested that the Pothole Pro would not be usable for 85% of the time during the winter months because of adverse weather conditions and staff demands. He added: 'Cost comparisons are more difficult to determine as they are not like for like.' The objective of traditional methods is to improve the lifespan and condition and conditions of the roads. This varies greatly. Scottish Borders Council drafted in two Pothole Pro machines last year to carry out road repairs to its roads citing cost savings compared to using traditional methods. The Pothole Pro costs around £165,000 to buy but can be hired for £600 a month. Last year West Lothian spent £1.9m on road repairs,. Councillor Orr asked for all answers to be provided in writing adding: 'I'm really deeply disappointed that councillor Conn did not supply these answers in writing."
Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Councillors have ‘little sympathy' for those who complain about 20mph speed limit
Objectors to a new 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian have been told an extra minute on their journeys 'won't kill them' by councillors. Midlothian Council's SNP administration cabinet was asked to consider nine objections to plans to introduce the reduced speed on urban streets. And they had little sympathy for those who complained it would make their journeys longer. Councillor Connor McManus said he had looked over the speed limit plans, which were originally approved by elected members two years ago, and could not see an issue with it. He said: 'There was an expression in the comments that it would take longer to get places. I noted people saying that travelling through Penicuik would take a substantially more amount of time. 'I have run the numbers and I am no mathematician but to get from Mauricewood to Lidl, which is the longest stretch in Penicuik which is in my ward, was three minutes without any traffic light stops. It is now going to be four minutes. 'I am pretty sure a minute will not kill anyone.' Council leader Kelly Parry agreed with his comments adding: 'It won't kill you to take an extra minute to get there but speeding can and does kill.' Objectors had claimed reducing the speed in towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk. One protester said the 'utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and fail to teach them safety. However Councillor McManus said roads would not be playgrounds adding 'there is no need to drive fast on urban streets.' Councillor Ellen Scott also welcomed the reduced speeding saying recent monitoring of vehicles travelling through her local ward area of Gorebridge had produced some 'horrendous' findings. She said: 'There are roads where children are crossing, so if it takes a few extra minutes so be it.' Among comments from objectors, who described the project as a waste of money which could be spent upgrading the road surfaces had been claims Midlothian Council's 'Tarminator' pothole machine, which was bought by the local authority two years ago, was now being used by neighbouring Scottish Borders Council. However council officers took the opportunity to address the allegations, which had been circulating on social media. Derek Oliver, chief officer Place, told the meeting: 'I can confirm our Pothole Pro is not being used by Scottish Borders Council. They have their own one. There are only three Scottish local authorities who own their own Pothole Pro, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils.' There was anger after 20mph signs were installed across towns in the county while the public consultation into introducing the new rules was being carried out. At today's cabinet meeting the report put before councillors asked them to 'consider the objections' made and 'determine whether or not the Order should be made and implemented, as advertised'. However Councillor Parry said that the decision to implement the speed reduction had already been taken by elected members two years previously. She said: 'Just to make it clear to anyone watching council has already passed this policy unanimously, we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Midlothian 20mph objectors told extra minute on the road 'won't kill them'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Objectors to a new 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian have been told an extra minute on their journeys 'won't kill them' by councillors. Midlothian Council's SNP administration cabinet was asked to consider nine objections to plans to introduce the reduced speed on urban streets. And they had little sympathy for those who complained it would make their journeys longer. Councillor Connor McManus said he had looked over the speed limit plans, which were originally approved by elected members two years ago, and could not see an issue with it. He said: "There was an expression in the comments that it would take longer to get places. I noted people saying that travelling through Penicuik would take a substantially more amount of time. "I have run the numbers and I am no mathematician but to get from Mauricewood to Lidl, which is the longest stretch in Penicuik which is in my ward, was three minutes without any traffic light stops. It is now going to be four minutes. "I am pretty sure a minute will not kill anyone." Council leader Kelly Parry agreed with his comments adding: "It won't kill you to take an extra minute to get there but speeding can and does kill." Objectors had claimed reducing the speed in towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk. One protester said the 'utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and fail to teach them safety. However Councillor McManus said roads would not be playgrounds adding "there is no need to drive fast on urban streets." Councillor Ellen Scott also welcomed the reduced speeding saying recent monitoring of vehicles travelling through her local ward area of Gorebridge had produced some 'horrendous' findings. She said: "There are roads where children are crossing, so if it takes a few extra minutes so be it." Among comments from objectors, who described the project as a waste of money which could be spent upgrading the road surfaces had been claims Midlothian Council's 'Tarminator' pothole machine, which was bought by the local authority two years ago, was now being used by neighbouring Scottish Borders Council. However council officers took the opportunity to address the allegations, which had been circulating on social media. Derek Oliver, chief officer Place, told the meeting: "I can confirm our Pothole Pro is not being used by Scottish Borders Council. They have their own one. There are only three Scottish local authorities who own their own Pothole Pro, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils." There was anger after 20mph signs were installed across towns in the county while the public consultation into introducing the new rules was being carried out. At today's cabinet meeting the report put before councillors asked them to 'consider the objections' made and 'determine whether or not the Order should be made and implemented, as advertised'. However Councillor Parry said that the decision to implement the speed reduction had already been taken by elected members two years previously. She said: "Just to make it clear to anyone watching council has already passed this policy unanimously, we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on."
