Will all Potholes be Fixed Before Christmas?

KCC claims “all hands on deck” for pothole repairs

More than half of pothole repair work has been completed in Kent with “all hands on deck” until winter returns.

Kent County Council (KCC) transport and highways chief, Cllr Neil Baker, told members 62% of work has been completed on the road network.

The latest figures for the total number of potholes filled in stands at 4,110, said Cllr Baker.

He added: “After a long winter with huge demands and requests for road repairs, we are now making the most of the good weather – when we get it – with all hands on deck to get this work done.”

It is expected that works will carry on well into October when the winter service kicks in.

The total meterage of patching is 138,557 and 77% of works have been raised and passed on to local contractors.

More than £8.5m from the Department for Transport has been set aside to fix the problems, which are common across the country, in a KCC “Pothole Blitz”.

At the time, the then roads minister Guy Opperman said: “Motorists and road users in Kent deserve safe, modern and smooth roads they can rely on.”

New equipment is also being employed to deal with the issue more quickly and have longer lasting results.

Labour transport spokesman Cllr Barry Lewis said rather than “patching” potholes every few months, efforts should be made to repair entire sections of areas prone to problems.

Dubbed ‘car killers’ by driving instructors due to the damage they can cause to their vehicles, potholes appear after heavy rain and cold weather, particularly in winter.

Earlier this year, Cllr Lewis said KCC’s target of repairing potholes within 28 days was “in effect scrapped” and only emergency repairs would be carried out. This view was disputed by KCC.

A recent survey from the AA showed fixing potholes and investing in road maintenance is a priority for 96% of drivers. It was an issue brought up on the doorsteps during the general election campaign.

A recent survey from the AA showed fixing potholes and investing in road maintenance is a priority for 96% of drivers. It was an issue brought up on the doorsteps during the general election campaign.

Source: Kent County Council