PLASTICS could be used to repair roads in the future after Wiltshire Council agreed to investigate a new technology being trialled in other parts of the country.

Next week councillors from the environment select committee are due to discuss findings from a study into how plastic can be used to replace bitumen, a traditional material used to fill potholes on roads.

Other local authorities have already started using MR6 filler, made from plastic that can be reshaped to fit potholes.

Wiltshire council agreed to look into the innovation after a motion was passed at full council by Cllr Brian Mathew last May. Speaking at the time he said: "Parts of our planet are starting to drown under a sea of waste plastic, and with UK waste plastic no longer going to China for recycling, we have to find another way and find a use for this material here at home. What is less known is that it is already underway in the UK. And if this was extended to all local Authority areas, a productive use for as much as 60,000 tonnes of waste plastic could be found each year in UK roads."

The environment Select Committee will meet to discuss plan on Tuesday. (Sept 3)