THE future of road repair has been unveiled in Bury.

A new machine that allows highways workers to melt and reuse damaged road surfaces rather than dig them up and replace them with new material was demonstrated in Newcombe Road, Ramsbottom, last Thursday.

ASI solutions believes its Rhinopatch system could speed up roadworks and make repaired roads last longer.

The company says its technique is more ecological because broken road surfaces are re-used rather than tipped.

It also cuts out the noise pollution associated with the drills usually used to dig up road surfaces.

The machine is being trialled in Bury and the company took the opportunity to invite officers from other local authorities and representatives from utility companies to see how it works.

The system has also been used in Helmshore Road and Ainsworth Road, Bury, and Radcliffe Moor Road, Radcliffe.

Councillor Dorothy Gunther, executive member for environment and transport, said: "Having seen the machine in operation, I think it's fantastic.

"It is much more economical than the traditional method in both time and the materials used.

"The results are much better as it welds' the road so there is no seal that can let water in and ruin the mend.

"We're all used to seeing a pot-hole fixed, only to need doing again a year later. This system prevents that, which should mean eventually we have to do fewer repairs."