'Impressive' Leitrim-made road fixing machine used across Ireland and the UK

A Leitrim-made machine that patches roads was highlighted at a recent meeting. 

Archway Products in Jamestown, Leitrim, is the company that designs and manufactures the Roadmaster velocity patcher. These machines use spray injection patching technology for high-velocity road repairs and have been supplied to numerous local authorities across Ireland and the UK. The company is a second-generation family-run business that started in 1990. 

Cllr Gary Prior asked if the council's new patcher has replaced the patching units and if there are "plans to keep the patching unit on the ground? What are the plans for this new velocity patcher. 

Emma Donohoe, district engineer, said: "The other units will be utilised during busy roadworks programme; we may temporarily hire them in but the plan is that the patcher goes around areas on a schedule and we will have a list for each area."

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She said the patcher has been making it's way around the county and "was in the Ballinamore area last week as well as Carrick and Mohill. It has a six week cycle so each."

Cllr Prior asked: "Do we plan on keeping the lads on the ground with the patching unit in between it going around the county?" to which Ms Donohoe responded that "they won't be working unless required during busy road works period; they'll be allocated to other jobs."

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke said would another velocity patcher would be beneficial with Ms Donohoe saying they would see how this patcher performs first.

Dave Minton, district engineer, stated: "If you haven't seen the technology in use, you can to Ballinamore and have a look at it. It's very impressive but they are expensive to purchase and operate. We'll keep it under review."

Cllr Brendan Barry noted the machines are made in Leitrim and used across Ireland and UK.

He added: "I'm concerned with the six week cycle and that if someone is onto us about a pothole, it could be six weeks before they patcher is back in the area and then if it's even able to do all that needs to be done in that time. It's a huge undertaking then for one driver; to know every lane and road in the county. The good thing about the patching units was that it was local crew that was operating them; it's not possible for one drive to have all that knowledge."

Cllr Prior said: "As we develop new technology, it would be remiss not to transfer all the lads that gave great service in all the weather and it may difficult to see the units being replaced by this new technology but it's signs of times. We'll review it and hopefully might see two or three with the county."