KENT NEWS: Road repair crews across the county have fixed 31,000 potholes since the start of the year, writes Nick Ames.
The news follows disputed figures suggesting Kent is the third worst county in Britain for potholes – behind Hampshire and top placed Surrey.
Leader of KCC Paul Carter is on record last month being critical of the company contracted to maintain our roads but rolled out a programme of repair contracts aimed at smaller contractors.
Announcing the total of potholes filled so far, Kent Highway Services revealed it has increased the number of gangs fixing potholes to 70 after diverting more crews from non-emergency work to tackle the unprecedented workload on a “find and fix” basis.
This means that all potholes on a stretch of road are filled at the same time.
The rate of repairs – in February staff filled more than 20,500 potholes, compared with 8,400 in February 2009 – follows the harshest winter for three decades.
KCC Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste Nick Chard said: “We are focusing all our efforts on repairing potholes, but while we are fixing the damage left by the snow and ice there are still a lot of potholes on the roads – and drivers need to be prepared for this and drive with extra care.
“We have pushed even more resources into tackling potholes by diverting more crews from non-emergency work to boost our campaign. We are doing this so that we can respond directly to what Kent’s residents are telling us is their number one priority.”
The league table, commissioned by car dealer Kia placed Kent in third place behind Surrey and Hampshire. It was unscientific and listed potholes logged b y drivers in a study about the damage they cause.
But Surrey County Council rubbished the report. "The results of this survey are so inaccurate they are absurd," said a spokesman, talking to What Car magazine.
'Kia claims Surrey has 1,998 potholes and other counties in Britain have even less – this is pure nonsense.
"In Surrey we have fixed around 15,000 road defects – including potholes – since the recent bad weather alone."
But poholes wreck cars and cost drivers hundreds of pounds.
Suspension failure, damaged alloys and split tyres are the most widespread incidents, with the average repair bill totalling £750.
The survey said the widespread growth of potholes has been attributed to the coldest UK winter in 30 years.
However, aged tarmac is also a major contributor to poor road surfaces.
According to statistics, £8.5 billion is required to bring the country's roads up to scratch, with local authorities claiming a lack of funding has created a 13-year backlog in road maintenance programmes.
Sue Mulcaster, Kia Motors UK spokeswoman said: "The true impact of potholes on motorists has been echoed up and down the country by our 150 dealers.
“Potholes are often unavoidable, but there are ways to avoid considerable repair costs. Slowing down as much as possible and taking your foot off the brake before impact can help reduce damage, while holding the steering wheel firmly will help maintain control."
The severe weather spell has been followed by a rise in compensation claims for damaged caused by potholes. Since Christmas more than 1,600 claims have been submitted to KCC.
Cllr Chard added: “We will look at these claims and assess them in a firm and fair way. We also want residents and drivers to report potholes to us, so that we can get the best possible picture of where the problems are.”
To report a fault, contact Kent Highway Services on 08458 247 800 or go online to www.kent.gov.uk/highways.
Blog: Why you need a 4x4 to survive Kent's potholed roads. Click HERE
POSTED: 10/03/2010 16:30:00
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