Millions in extra cash to fill Kent’s pothole backlog

Kent County Council (KCC) is getting ready to plough millions in extra cash into tackling road defects, helping to keep Kent moving.

Additional funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) worth £8.6 million will be spent between March and October this year.

The financial boost is on top of about £50 million already pledged in KCC’s own road and footway planned maintenance budget.

Funded by UK Government

The Pothole Blitz will be delivered using additional contractors and focus on medium to large scale resurfacing, making permanent first-time fixes.

Specialist equipment, including miniature planers, pavers and diggers, will be used to ensure the repairs can be made with minimal disruption to the travelling public.

Head and shoulders image of Neil Baker, KCC's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Between April and December 2023 we repaired 54,814 potholes and mended or resurfaced more than 416,991m2 of road, which is equivalent to 57 Wembley football pitches.

Neil Baker Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker said: “Between April and December 2023 we repaired 54,814 potholes and mended or resurfaced more than 416,991m2 of road, which is equivalent to 57 Wembley football pitches.

“Kent’s roads are among the busiest in the country, which is why throughout the winter we have been responding to reports of potholes by completing emergency repairs where defects present a risk to safety.

“With the weather improving we are turning our attention to completing permanent fixes the first time we visit the site, so the travelling public can be confident that repairs will last.”

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman said: "Motorists and roads users in Kent deserve safe, modern and smooth roads they can rely on. That’s why it’s great to see Kent County Council making the most of the additional funding from the Government to tackle road defects and speed-up journeys.

“As we continue to put drivers back in the driving seat, the £135 million of additional funding we are providing over the next 11 years will help ensure that more and more roads all across Kent can be resurfaced.”

People are asked to continue to report potholes at www.kent.gov.uk/potholes using our dedicated fault reporting tool.

ENDS