Elliot joins war on potholes

One of Hampshire Highways’ brand new dragon patchers has made its debut, fixing potholes and defects caused by winter weather in Sparsholt.

Councillor Rob Humby said: “It’s great to see Elliot out and about, making a real difference to some of Hampshire’s rural villages. The County Council has invested in two new dragon patcher machines for exclusive use on Hampshire roads.”

Elliot the dragon patcher was named by Cllr Stewart Wooles of Sparsholt Parish Council, following an event earlier this year. Councillor Wooles said: “Elliot was the friendliest name I could think of for a dragon, and this dragon patcher is going to be ideal for a village like Sparsholt. Elliot will be able to start at one end of the village, and we won’t need to have roads closed off or traffic and buses diverted while it makes it’s way through.”

The dragon patcher can repair a defect five times faster than traditional methods and is effective in all weathers as its ‘flame’ is able to heat and dry a frozen or wet road surface before repairing it. It is nicknamed the ‘dragon’ because it expels flames to de-ice and dry out the road surface.