Two specialist pothole machines will be begin working on roads around , the latest boost in the drive to fix the county’s highways.

Nottinghamshire County Council has taken delivery of the JCB Pothole Pro machines from commercial asset supplier Dawsongroup, just a week after a record-breaking £181.25 million investment in the county’s roads was given the green light.

They will be delivering first-time permanent repairs in Nottinghamshire through the county council’s highways partner, Via East Midlands, and add to the eight repair teams who hit the county’s roads at the start of the month.

The unique three-in-one machines, which have been leased for 12 months, will help to improve the speed, quality and cost-effectiveness of repairs across the county.

Their benefits include:

• Fixing a typical pothole rapidly, helping to clear backlogs more quickly and ensure that roads are closed for shorter periods of time.
• Reducing repair costs, with permanent, longer‑lasting fixes meaning fewer repeat visits.
• Cutting, cropping, and cleaning in a single visit.

The Pothole Pro machines have been leased from Dawsongroup via a procurement and tendering process carried out by Via.

Council Leader, Councillor Mick Barton, said the arrival of the Pothole Pro machines will provide value for money for Nottinghamshire residents.

He said: “After months of hard work, Cllr Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, and I decided to take on two JCB Pothole Pro machines as part of our ongoing work to repair the roads.

“These machines will have a positive impact in what we are trying to achieve and mark a significant step forward in our first time permanent repair programme.

“Residents rightly expect us to deal with potholes quickly and effectively, and this technology allows us to do exactly that in addition to the more traditional methods we already use.

“What sets the Pothole Pro apart is its ability to complete multiple repair stages using a single piece of equipment.

“By combining cutting, cropping, and cleaning into one machine, we can reduce the time crews spend on each repair while also minimising disruption to road users.

“Ultimately, this is about delivering a better service for our communities.

“Smoother, safer roads benefit everyone, from daily commuters to local businesses, and the Pothole Pro is helping us meet those expectations in a smarter, modern way.

“We know we have a challenge ahead of us, that we are rising to, and I am confident residents will see a vast improvement in the condition of our roads by the end of the summer.”

Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said the machines should help the council’s teams carry out repairs to a consistently high quality.

He said: “The introduction of the JCB Porthole Pro machines will ensure that first time permanent repairs minimise the likelihood of repeat issues in the same locations.

“Another key benefit is the reduced impact on local communities as repairs can be completed faster and more efficiently, meaning there is less need for prolonged road closures or traffic management and helping to keep Nottinghamshire moving.

“This is about building a resilient and well-maintained road network for the future.

“By adding modern solutions like the Pothole Pro to our toolbox of highway repairs we are addressing current challenges and seeking to set a higher standard for road maintenance in the years ahead.

“People have understandably been frustrated with the condition of Nottinghamshire’s roads, and we believe our record-breaking investment in highways is just the start of an exciting journey as we deliver the network that people rightly expect.

“We will be evaluating the performance and value for money of the Pothole Pro, alongside our other machinery and traditional methods, to guide future investment decisions in our highways.”

Haley Thomas, Strategic Account Manager at Dawsongroup, said: “We’re proud to support Via East Midlands with the installation of the JCB Pothole Pro, which represents a significant step forward in how permanent road repairs are delivered.

“Having worked closely with the team since early 2024, we understand the pressures facing local authorities to do more with less while improving safety and long-term outcomes.

“The Pothole Pro offers a fully mechanised, permanent repair solution that aligns perfectly with Via’s commitment to efficiency, quality, and reducing repeat interventions across the network.”

A comprehensive review of the county’s discretionary faith school transport scheme has been launched by Nottinghamshire County Council, with a formal public consultation running from 30 April to 12 June 2026.

The council say the review forms part of the wider efforts to address significant financial challenges to ensure essential services can be protected whilst balancing the budget. Last year, the discretionary scheme cost approximately £1.25 million with families contributing 20% towards the cost and the council covering the remaining £1 million.

The scheme currently benefits approximately 520 young people across 15 faith schools, though only 10 schools are based within the county. The remaining schools are located across Nottingham City, Derbyshire and Doncaster.

Primary schools affected include: St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School, West Bridgford; Good Shepherd Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy, Woodthorpe; St Philip Neri Catholic Primary School, Mansfield; English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Long Eaton; and Burntstump Seely Infant School, Arnold.

Secondary schools affected include: Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy, Arnold; The Trinity Catholic School, Aspley; The Becket Catholic School, West Bridgford; All Saints Catholic Voluntary Academy, Mansfield; St John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, Ilkeston; The McAuley Catholic High School, Doncaster; The National Church of England Academy, Hucknall; The Bluecoat Church of England Academy, Aspley; Emmanuel School, West Bridgford; and The Minster School, Southwell.

Historically, Nottinghamshire provided free discretionary faith school transport until 2007, after which a heavily discounted faith travel bus pass was introduced. Nearby counties of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire withdrew their discretionary schemes over 15 years ago.

Following conversations with representatives from the local Catholic and Anglican dioceses, as well as school leaders, Nottinghamshire County Council has put forward a number of options regarding the future of the discretionary faith school transport scheme. Option 1 proposes maintaining the current policy without any alterations. Option 2 suggests removing the scheme from September 2027. 

Option 3 proposes a decision this year to withdraw the scheme, with removal scheduled to take effect from September 2031. This gives advance notice to all parent/carers of the schemes withdrawal and in particular would allow pupils who enter secondary school before that date to continue to access the scheme until it is withdrawn, with the September 2026 Year 7 cohort being the last to complete a full secondary phase under the scheme.

Lastly, Option 4 recommends increasing the parental contribution towards the cost of the scheme, potentially allowing it to continue but with greater financial input from families.

The council is now inviting parents, carers, church and school leaders and residents to share their views and feedback on these options as part of the formal public consultation. All comments received will be carefully considered and will help inform the final decision.

This review does not affect statutory home-to-school transport entitlements. Children who qualify for free travel will continue to receive it.

Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We’re incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with the faith community and highly value the education they provide to families across Nottinghamshire. While it’s never easy to review valued services such as our discretionary faith transport scheme, our aim is to ensure we safeguard what matters most for everyone. We’re committed to listening, consulting and working together with parents, carers, church representatives and school leaders to understand how any changes to the scheme might affect families and this will help to shape our policy for the future.

“Please be assured, this review is focused solely on discretionary faith transport and will not impact statutory home-to-school transport.”

To find out more about the options and what they mean for you and to take part in the consultation, please visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/faithschooltransport

The consultation is open until 12 June. All comments received will contribute towards shaping the council’s policy on discretionary faith school transport.  The outcome of the review will be published by 3 August 2026, in advance of the 2027 school admissions cycle.