Kent County Council (KCC) says it will invest £67 million to overhaul the county’s 5,400 mile road network.
The money will be used to tackle potholes, renew road surfaces and prevent future damage, marking one of the largest investments in Kent’s roads in recent years. This year’s investment, which is already underway, includes:
- £25 million for renewing and reconstructing roads
- £10 million for preventative measures to stop potholes forming
- £11 million for quick, efficient, and permanent local repairs by KCC Highways teams
- £7 million on addressing the most urgent repairs to keep the roads and paths safe
- £14.2 million in additional funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) for a dedicated pothole and patching programme – a 65% increase on last year’s investment.
Linden Kemkaran, Leader of KCC, said: “Kent’s residents have told us loud and clear that they are fed up with the poor state of our roads. Years of short-term, reactive funding from successive governments have left our road network in decline.
“So we are taking action and Reforming Kent’s Roads, starting this year by investing more money in repairs and maintenance. We are also reviewing highways contracts to ensure Kent council taxpayers get the most value from them and urging the government to work with us to change how council road repairs are funded. Kent’s roads are a vital part of the UK’s infrastructure and we are the Gateway County, helping to keep UK supply chains flowing, connecting the UK to Europe and unlocking jobs and prosperity.
“Our plans to reform Kent’s roads are not only about repairing more of our roads, they are about building a smarter, more resilient road network for the future.”
Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, added: “So far, we’ve repaired more than 12,000 potholes – and we’re not stopping.
“Residents will have seen our crews out across the county, and while there’s still much to do, we’re starting to make real progress in fixing potholes and repairing roads thanks to our hardworking highways teams.
“We also rely on the public to help stay on top of road issues. If you spot a pothole or defect that could be dangerous, let us know. We have to use our funding wisely to fix the most urgent problems first – and your reports help us do that. If you report it, we’ll sort it.”
To report a pothole or road defect that could be dangerous, visit the KCC website.
How much are they investing in the many blocked or closed public footpaths in Kent?
Until utilities need to dig them up again
How about starting on the St Peters/Dane Court Road,which floods at any sign of rain. Tried getting an answer from the Conservatives county councillor,no real answer there ,and independent Barry ,the floods not on his bit of the road so not bothered,even though it affects his constituents
Ray the bread, i passed your concerns onto the conservative councillor for the area concerned. I have NO say in how the issue was to be dealt with therefore.
No you said it was not in your part end off,
i wish they would look into all of these road signs , i think they only have two – road ahead closed and diversion ? neither of which ever makes much sense , and they leave them there when the ” job ” is finished
If they retrieve the hundreds of discarded red cones they might save some money.
I knew KCC would find a use for Farage’s fag butts.
Typical Reform rubbish. This money is already being given by the Government nation wide. It is not from KCC funds. I am waiting for all the actual new things they have promised for us. It would take over £260 million to repair all Kents roads according to a new report on BBC South East. Announcing this Government money as new money is deceitful. If you don’t agree try watching and reading the news.
I had nearly 25 holes in the road I live in in Ramsgate, it took over a year for KCC to fill them in with my constant nagging. My local councillors were useless.
I don’t think £67 million will go far, although I am no expert, my guess is it will just about cover the roads in Thanet! As a Mobility Scooter user, I would like to see pavements included, those in and around Ramsgate town, and along Margate road from the viduct, are appalling, and are crying out for re-surfacing!
more dropped curbs woudlnt go a miss, just to get the wife from west dumpton to town is a ball ache even in her powered chair