JCB Pothole Pro Trial (27 April 2026 Report)

Freedom of Information Request - JCB Pothole Pro Trial (27 April 2026 Report)

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I request the following information relating to the trial of the JCB Pothole Pro referenced in the report dated 27 April 2026.

To minimise any potential commercial sensitivity concerns, I am requesting aggregated and high-level information where appropriate.

1. Total Cost and High-Level Financial Data

a) The total cost of the trial
b) The total number of repairs or square metres completed
c) The average cost per repair or per square metre (aggregated)

2. Comparative Cost-Effectiveness

a) Any internal assessments comparing the cost-effectiveness of the Pothole Pro with traditional repair methods
b) Any summary or aggregated comparison figures used in decision-making

3. Productivity and Performance Data

a) Average daily output across the trial period
b) Any internal benchmarks used to assess performance
c) Definitions or criteria used to determine 'efficiency' or 'benefit'

4. Methodology

a) A summary of the methodology used to evaluate the trial
b) Whether any comparator or baseline (formal or informal) was used

5. Previous Trial Comparison

a) Any documentation explaining the difference in conclusions between the 2021 trial and the 2026 trial

6. Governance and Decision-Making

a) Any internal reports, briefing notes, or summary documents used to support decisions following the trial
b) Any documented criteria used to determine whether the trial was successful

7. Redactions and Exemptions

If any information is withheld under Section 43 (commercial interests), please:

a) Provide the requested information in aggregated or redacted form where possible
b) Specify clearly which exemption is being applied
c) Provide the public interest test reasoning

1a) No additional funding was required to undertake the trial beyond the standard equipment costs incurred to provide this element of the service. Lincolnshire County Council requires an output of repairs from the contractor but leaves the contractor open to use the most cost-effective method to deliver as payment is only made for repairs made. The annual budget (2025/26) for this element of the service of which the trial was a part and which does not depend on the type of equipment used, was £1.65m. It should be noted that this includes all costs associated with these repairs including asphalt for reinstatement and traffic management.

b) Data to 25/03/26, when the published report was written, was 7645m2

c) The contractor uses a previously tendered rate to carry out these repairs and therefore we cannot disclose the actual rate. We acknowledge that you have requested high level/aggregated data although we consider that our answers to b&c would still allow other tenders to work out the average cost per repair. Whilst aggregated data reduces the risk of disclosure it does not automatically remove commercial sensitivity.

This information is withheld under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Appended – Section 43 reasoning. Further to this the Equipment carried out a range of repairs during the period of the trial including minor patching at several depths as well as pothole repairs. The gang also carried out other works while at specific locations such as temporary infilling emergency potholes and minor lining repairs which make average costs not representative of the use of the equipment.

2a) Please see published report to Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee https://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=492&MId=9017&Ver=4

b) Please see report above

3-6) Please see report above

Note: no Councillor or Officer Decision required as the choice of delivery mechanism sits with the contractor