Cameras with '˜digital inspector' tech will help tackle Blackpool's pothole problem

Winter has led to a surge in potholes being reported across the country

The devices, which feature next generation ‘digital inspector’ technology, will allow road workers to spot problem roads even earlier, the council said.

They will be trialled in the resort and were revealed by the government as part of a £100m funding boost to repair the nation’s roads.

Similar to the ones seen on Google Streetview cars, the cameras will capture the resort’s roads and pavements from a number of angles, it is understood, with footage instantly uploaded to the cloud where it can be inspected in high-definition.

Coun Gillian Campbell, deputy leader at the town hall (inset), said: “This is an exciting Blackpool Council-led project which promises to make a huge difference to the speed and effectiveness of maintaining our highways and infrastructure.

“This scheme aims to make inspection so much smarter and informed with potential defects such as potholes being identified earlier.

“Advanced imagery techniques will help inspectors deploy maintenance teams to defective parts of the network more effectively.

“This represents a massive step change in efficiency and can ultimately deliver significant savings. It can also help deliver safer roads for everyone.”

Four to five cameras will be fitted to standard road maintenance vehicles, with 10 councils working with three lead authorities and Gaist Solutions Limited, which will give technical support.

Blackpool Council put £5,000 of its own cash into the project, which, if successful, could be rolled out elsewhere.