A pioneering road repair method that uses heat instead of heavy machinery is being rolled out across the Highlands in a new multi-million pound contract.
Highland Council has awarded a two-year deal to Thermal Road Repairs, following a successful trial of the technology last year.
The method uses infrared heating to soften and rework existing road surfaces, creating smoother, longer-lasting fixes with less waste and disruption.
Councillor Ken Gowans, who chairs the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said the technology marks a new chapter for how Highland roads are maintained.
“We saw great results during the trial,” he said.
“Thermal repairs are quick, reliable and can be done all year round.
“That means fewer potholes, better roads and happier communities.”
Unlike traditional repair methods, which often rely on multiple machines and result in short-term patches, the infrared process creates a seamless finish by bonding new and existing materials without leaving cold joints.
This makes the repairs stronger and more resilient, particularly during colder months when roads tend to deteriorate fastest.
Each one-metre square section takes just five to nine minutes to repair, and the equipment used is designed to be low-impact and low-noise.
With only one vehicle needed on-site, traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.
Councillor Gowans added:
“Thermal Road Repairs bring real expertise to the table, and their approach is clean and efficient.
“Using fewer materials means lower emissions, and the speed of the work means we can cover more ground.”
The new contract will provide a valuable boost to local road crews who are working to maintain over 4,000 miles of roads across the Highlands.
It’s all part of the Council’s wider £2.1 billion Highland Investment Plan, which promises to support transport, schools, offices and community facilities over the next two decades.
Work on the ground is set to begin in summer 2025, with road users across the region expected to see faster, smarter repairs becoming the new normal.
