POTHOLES in East Sussex are set to have a ‘blast’ this summer as high-tech machinery hits the streets.

Starting on Tuesday, May 28 2019 East Sussex Highways will deploy a fleet of three Roadmaster machines, which will tour the county repairing potholes, cracks and other defects.

The state-of-the-art vehicles – similar to the Jetpatchers the council has used in previous years – work by blasting in high-pressure air to clean out potholes, cracks and crevices, which are then quickly filled with a mixture of bitumen and fine stone and grit.

The scheme begins in Burwash, Battle and Blackboys, with other areas set to benefit during the three-month programme including Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, Lewes and Seaford.

Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council lead member for transport and environment, said: “Potholes are a primary concern for residents and it’s important they are fixed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“Using the Roadmaster means the job can be done without the driver leaving their cab and the road can be reopened immediately, meaning it’s far quicker and more cost-effective than traditional methods and causes less disruption and congestion.

“By using three of these machines, we are able to cover a large area of the county in a relatively short period of time to ensure our roads are in good condition before the autumn begins.

“It also results in less waste as the vehicles can carry enough material to last a whole day, which means fewer return trips to depots and therefore lower carbon emissions.”

Each week, details of specific locations to receive a visit from the Roadmaster will be announced on the East Sussex Highways Facebook page and Twitter feed @esccroads