New ‘pothole-spotter’ technology is to be trialled by Thurrock and York Councils in a bid to revolutionise the way potholes are identified and managed.

The Department for Transport has awarded the two councils £183,000 to test how high definition cameras with integrated navigation system and intelligent software can be attached to refuse trucks to help build up an image library of the highways. This should help officers to identify road surface problems before they become potholes.

Thurrock’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Cllr Brian Little, said: ‘The scheme will provide us with the level of detail not seen before on how problems on the highways become defects and then potholes.

‘I am also delighted that we're using existing council vehicles in such an innovative way.

‘We need to make sure our roads are fit for purpose and Pothole-spotter could transform how we do this – in a bid to provide a better experience for our residents.’

Thurrock is working with strategic consultancy, SOENECS, and technical partner, Gaist, to deliver the project.

Director of innovation and research of Gaist, Dr Stephen Remde, said: ‘This project is really exciting and will capture the highest ever levels of technically advanced data that will provide us with a real insight into how roads deteriorate and defects form such as potholes, surface durability and day to day traffic volume damage.’