Members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council are to challenge the continued refusals of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to explore the viability of a JCB Pothole Pro for the district, with the councillor leading the call for the machine describing previous responses as both “a brush-off and misleading”.

Councillor Bernice Swift, Independent, told a meeting of the Environmental Services Committee that DfI hierarchy “haven’t been very forthcoming or engaging”, further claiming: “The responses have been a complete brush-off and misleading to all councillors, and I am appalled.”

She drew members’ attention to a television programme* featuring the JCB Pothole Pro with the Mayor of Brackley Council, and a former councillor in Northamptonshire, Mark Morrell, who is well-known as a pothole campaigner in England, and a media go-to expert on roads maintenance in his constituency.

“He contacted me after seeing this Council’s problem detailed in an online article by The Impartial Reporter, then provided me with a checklist from JCB on how they have assisted the problem, to date, in his constituency,” she said.

Councillor Swift continued: “I’ve obtained facts from JCB which totally rebukes the Western Division position.

“I am seeking the costs of efficiency and sustainability as well as operatives and skills training are provided, although we are told health and safety is the problem and indeed, the barrier to the purchase of the machine, not the money.

“The facts are clear to be seen. Seven years’ work has been done in 12 months, which is an amazing statistic.”

Councillor Swift further claimed: “To be frank, it has been told to me there is no safer way to permanently repair defects. This machine eliminates a lot of risk and reduces much specialist kit movement on-site.

“The sustainability argument is ridiculous when you see and hear the facts. The machine does five pieces of work in one go, and the good definitely outweighs the bad.”

Councillor Swift proposed the Council request a virtual demonstration of the Pothole Pro by JCB, and contact the Senior Engineer in Louth County Council, who have also reported huge successes in contrast to what DfI are saying, she said.

“It would be totally unwise of us to dismiss this very good idea,” she added. “We are not the accountable authority, nor are we statutory obliged to deliver. It’s up to DfI, but if we have our evidence ready to present [in favour of obtaining the machine], it becomes a no-brainer.”

Seconding, Councillor Sheamus Greene, Sinn Fein, commended Councillor Swift “on her tenacity on following this up and keeping at it,” adding: “Some of the statistics are really eye-opening.”

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Swift claimed: “It’s very clear – DfI’s dismissive response and arguments against the Pothole Pro have been totally disputed with facts by customers actually using it.”

She continued: “The evidence I’ve seen, most definitely outlines a clear case for DfI to fully engage [with our calls to obtain the machine], which could be the answer to the pothole problems on our entire roads network.

“There is no longer a need for specialist kit to do individual elements of the process, such as planning and sweeping, as the machine does all self-sufficiently.

“It’s fully road-legal, without additional costs [of] low-loader transportation.

“Repairs are completed in a fraction of the time, and permanent, so there is no need for the constant revisiting of temporary methods.”

She concluded: “I feel strongly the facts and evidence I have obtained and unanimously agreed, proves to DfI the Pothole Pro is a solution to making a difference for all road users in our Council area.”

*The Pothole Pro is featuring on Thursday, February 23 on a BBC Breakfast Live Programme (which starts at 9.15am) on weekdays BBC One.