Last week (17 – 18 June), M Group and Oxfordshire County Council used Wildmere Road in Banbury as a test site to trial and uniquely compare 15 different methods of filling in potholes or ‘patching’ minor defects.
These methods included six hot products or methods, including Thermal repairs, Mastic repair, Bobcat patching, UK Road Patch and the M Group Dragon Patcher. There were also six cold lay products, ranging from products already in use such as Viafix, to newer approaches and technology, such as Tarmac Ultipatch Pothole Zero, sourced by M Group.
The road was closed and a 700-metre stretch was divided into sections. Each section had a different type of pothole or patch repair carried out to get a direct comparison of the various methods.
Since January 2026, M Group has repaired more than 36,606 highways defects – compared to 37,042 potholes filled in the whole of 2024-25.
This was against a backdrop of perfect pothole-forming weather conditions this winter – a prolonged freeze followed by a protracted period of rain which led to an unprecedented increase in the number of emergency pothole reports.
Richard Lovewell, M Group Business Director, said: “From introducing the Dragon Patcher back in 2015 to hosting the UK’s first pothole trial day in 2023, M Group and Oxfordshire County Council have a strong track record of working together to find better ways to maintain and repair roads.
“This latest trial is about building on that progress. By testing new products and approaches we can ensure that we are using the best value materials in the right conditions and the right places, increasing efficiency and durability, and delivering better value for residents.
“With wetter winters and hotter summers, it is vital we keep adapting our maintenance techniques to cope with increasing pressure on our road networks.”
Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said: “The impact of potholes on our roads this winter, not just in Oxfordshire but nationwide, has been unprecedented.
“We are committed to seeking new and innovative methods of carrying out repairs on our 3,000-mile road network. Technology is changing all the time, and it is important to test the latest products to maximise value for money when it comes to highway maintenance.
“The 2023 event led to us adopting several new methods of repair, and ruling out others, so we hope this latest trial will provide evidence and information for our contractors about what repair methods work best by testing them on the same stretch of road.”
Wildmere Road will be monitored regularly over the next two years to allow comparisons of the type of repair, equipment, material, and labour used, and the time taken.
This will include an understanding of the potential results, longevity of repairs, waste generated, carbon impact, use of recycled content and productivity that may be achievable.
(Image – M Group)