Permanent vs temporary pothole repairs: what changes on the ground
This supports the decision framework in our Treatment Selection Guide.
The difference isn’t just the material — it’s the outcome on a live network.
What changes first
- Repeat visits drop: fewer callouts to the same location.
- Closures reduce: fewer traffic management setups.
- Disruption falls: less downtime for road users and clients.
- True cost improves: lifecycle cost usually beats “cheap first visit”.
Use defect type, loading and environment to pick the right approach first time, rather than defaulting to the fastest patch.