Labour’s plan to fix more than one million potholes a year are advancing as Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, visits Blackpool showcasing new technology to help address the ‘pothole plague.’   

Blackpool’s Project Amber is an innovative scheme using an advanced imagery system to take high-definition images of roads.

These images are then used to detect potholes and compile data on areas most in need of repair.

Shown to the Transport secretary on Thursday September 26, the project could become a trailblazer and be deployed across the UK to support the repair of England’s neglected roads.  

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said: “For too long, this country has suffered from a pothole plague.

“Blackpool Council are already doing fantastic work to make the most of new technology to repair potholes faster. 

“This should be a model for every community to learn from and help deliver the roads their drivers deserve, so that Britain can get moving.”

Following the deployment of this type of technology Blackpool has seen a significant reduction in compensation bills form pothole related incidents.

 In previous years the council was paying up to £1.5 million a year to settle claims, last year it only paid out £719. 

Councillor Paula Burdess, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Street Scene and Neighbourhoods, added: “Blackpool has always been synonymous with innovation – how we look after our roads is no different.

“I’m really proud that Blackpool are leading the way nationally with innovative road maintenance. 

“By repairing the roads at an early stage we can also avoid more costly repairs in the future and ensure our roads stay stronger for longer to create a better Blackpool.”