Residents cracking up over monster pothole

MONSTER pot holes and cracks in Broadstairs' Percy Road are giving residents the hump.

The recent snow and ice has stretched some cracks on the crumbling street to more than a metre and a half in length.

CRACKING UP: Burt Sainty, 77, is fed up with crumbling pot holes in Percy Road
GIIS20120214B-001_C (Sub note: please illustrate the road sign with cracks. Please lay this over the top of the main picture) ------ pot holes
CRUMBLING: The asphalt in Percy Road, Broadstairs, is splitting to pieces in several spots causing discomfort for motorists as they drive cars along the road

Motorists and residents are being driven potty by deepening holes which could cost them hundreds of pounds in car repairs.

Retired Rita Sainty, 72, said: "They're a real nuisance. It's really bad, worse than last year. I think it's some time since they fixed them."

Teaching assistant Wendy Demetriou, 46, said her daughter had complained about the bumpy surface after visiting her home on Percy Road.

She said: "I've noticed how bad it is – it's one of the worst roads. I have been here two years and it has been bad since then."

Kent County Council (KCC) is responsible for fixing pot holes.

In 2010, Kent County Council received 22,144 pothole inquiries and just 13,567 in the last year, reflecting better weather.

In 2009/10 £13 million was spent fixing holes, and £20 million in 2010/11.

A spokesman for the county council said: "Repairing potholes on our roads is a huge task for Kent County Council. Kent is bigger than other counties and as a result, we have over 5,000 miles of roads to maintain.

"Over the past 18 months we have invested more than £10 million – some of this government money – in three Find and Fix campaigns, targeting the damage caused to our roads by two of the harshest winters for nearly three decades. As a result of this work, our roads are in a better and safer condition than they have been for a number of years but we still have further improvements to make.

"As of 1 September we took on a new long-term maintenance company, Enterprise Ltd. Under the new contract the standard of road repairs in Kent is set to rise because there are powerful incentives to make sure the firm does a good job. For example, the company will only be paid if it does high-quality work and for the amount of works done – not for the time taken to do it.

"Having good quality, safe roads in Kent is a top priority and this new contract will help us achieve that."

Residents can report a pothole by contacting Kent County Council, 08458 247 800, or go online at www.kent.gov.uk

Do you have large pot holes on your road? Take a picture and send it to newsdesk.thanet@KRNmedia.co.uk or contact the newsroom at 01843 578151.