Hertfordshire County Council has begun trials of an innovative pothole-repair machine, dubbed Roadmaster, rolling it out on rural and residential roads across northern Hertfordshire — and it may not be long before we see it around Hitchin too.

The trial is the first time this particular spray-injection patching machine has been tested in the county. Unlike older models, the Roadmaster is operated entirely from the cab, meaning crews can clean, fill and seal potholes in one go — improving safety, speeding up repairs, and cutting waste and disruption. 

What makes Roadmaster different?

• The machine uses a high-powered jet to clean, fill and seal potholes in a single operation.  
• Because it's operated from inside the cab, the team on the machine need not be directly exposed to traffic or road hazards.  
• The process promises longer lasting repairs, reduced disruption to road users, and lower resource waste.  

Stephen Giles-Medhurst, the county's Executive Member for Highways, acknowledged that potholes are among the biggest frustrations for local residents. He said:

"We know potholes are one of the biggest frustrations for residents and we are determined to do more to tackle them. The Roadmaster is a completely different kind of machine … we're exploring every option to get better, longer-lasting repairs for Hertfordshire's roads and improve everyday journeys." 

Will Hitchin see Roadmaster in action?

The trial is focused on parts of northern Hertfordshire, but given Hitchin's location in that region, there's a plausible chance the technology could be rolled out here if the results are promising. The council says that after completing the trial, it will evaluate how effective the Roadmaster is and whether it offers good value for money. If approved, the machine could be used more widely across the county's road network. 

What's next

• The council will analyse how well the machine performs.  
• If the trial is successful, broader deployment across Hertfordshire could follow.  
• Local councillors — including those in Hitchin — may push for early adoption if it delivers on its promises of faster, safer, more durable repairs.