Pothole prevention programme

The Council has launched a pothole prevention programme to target areas of Suffolk’s road network that could worsen when the winter weather hits.

During the winter months, colder and wetter weather conditions typically lead to a rise in the number of potholes. This is largely caused by surface water seeping into existing cracks in the road, where it can be forced deeper by the pressure of passing vehicles or expand during freeze-thaw cycles—both of which accelerate surface deterioration. As a result, the number of potholes requiring repair increases significantly from December onwards, placing added pressure on our reactive maintenance teams.

To address this, and following successful trials earlier in the year, we are deploying both the Dragon Patcher and Roadmender from October 2024 through to August 2025 as part of a preventative ‘find and fix’ programme. This initiative is designed to prepare Suffolk’s road network for winter by targeting potential issues before they worsen.

These specialist crews will address both 'intervention level' defects—those that meet the threshold for immediate safety-related repairs—and smaller imperfections that, if left untreated, could develop into more serious faults during the winter. By sealing and repairing early, we aim to reduce the number of emergency repairs required in the colder months.

Sites have been carefully selected, focusing on areas most at risk of developing defects during winter. Work will take place between 7am and 5pm, weather permitting, with teams moving across the county to treat these vulnerable locations.

For further details on specific treatment sites, please refer to the information provided below.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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