A machine that can fix a pothole in two minutes is being tried out by Redbridge Council to repair cracked up road surfaces.

The “injection patcher” sprays the pothole and fills it up with bitumen, according to the authority.

“Potholes are a nuisance and a danger to road users,” Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal said. “We are working to find cost-effective ways to improve road surfaces. The ‘injection patcher’ is helping pave the way.”

Air is pumped at speed into the pothole to remove dirt and debris, then cold bitumen is sprayed and coated to cover and seal any cracks, followed by aggregate applied at high speed.

A council spokesperson said: "The rapid repairs can be carried out with minimal traffic disruption, often not even requiring road closures, with pothole fixes ready to be driven over almost immediately following repair."

The “injection patcher" can fix up to 120 potholes in a day without excavations or heat involved.

Around 1,500 have been fixed in 11 weeks of becoming operational, the council said.

Potholes can be reported on the council’s “redbridge.gov.uk” website.