We all know how potholes have become a persistent plague on our roads.
The poor road conditions are a frustration to us all. 95% of claims to local authorities from drivers are related to potholes.
A third of KCCs highways and road maintenance expenditure is spent on pothole repairs. But we all know more needs to be done.
On average, 14,922 potholes were filled per authority in England over the past year. However, there were 24,217 potholes and road surface problems reported to KCC, which – although down from the year before – is unacceptable. Our council is one of the poorest performing in the country.
According to the Department for Transport, 53% of Kent’s roads have been flagged for maintenance. The Government - both Labour and Conservative - have given KCC more than £202 million over the last 5 years for highways and roads maintenance.
At the KCC elections in May, Reform UK won a majority and now control our country council. They made some very specific commitments to ensure that all potholes were filled in (see here).
Since the election, KCC is already on its second cabinet member for highways. It’s essential Reform UK stop their infighting and fulfil their commitments to the public.
Now, the responsibility lies with Reform UK to follow through on their pledges to the community. They must deliver on what they promised us.
So, I am going to help them do that. Please fill in the form on this page to share with me any pothole you see, whether it be on your road, town, journey to work, or simply as you’re walking past.
Please share with me as much information as you can, including the location of the pothole and, if you can get one safely, a picture. I will then contact KCC directly, on your behalf, to ensure Reform UK are doing as they promised – and repair every single pothole across every single street in Tonbridge, Edenbridge, and the North Downs Villages.
It’s so important that their words are matched by their actions. I’ve always said I will work with all elected representatives to the best of our community, and I look forward to doing so with the Reform UK administration at KCC to fill in every pothole in our area.