KCC needs to get back to basics

There are some services that it is nice for Kent County Council to run, like adult cycling classes, and some services that are absolutely essential - such as keeping our roads safe and in good condition.

Interactive road signs warning us not to drink and drive look very modern and upmarket, but bring little comfort to the driver whose tyre has just ripped to shreds on the jagged edge of a pothole.

Currently there are tens of thousands of potholes waiting to be filled. Last week alone, 8,000 new potholes were reported, blamed on the recent cold snap.

But perhaps KCC should be asking itself, whether its roads had been properly surfaced in the first place, if a little snow causes so much damage?

Potholes are dangerous. They can pitch a cyclist or motorcyclist off their machine. They can damage vehicles’ tyres and steering. They can lead to accidents as drivers unexpectedly swerve to miss them.

Keeping the roads safe is a basic duty that we all expect KCC to carry out.

And we all know it is failing. We bet there is no-one reading this who doesn’t have a pothole in the road outside their home.

Then to discover this week that KCC is using a legal loophole to simultaneously slash compensation payments to drivers whose vehicles have been damaged even though it can technically argue it is carrying out its duty by scheduling repairs is beyond belief.

Motorists should not be hit with huge garage bills because of KCC’s failings.

And let’s not hear any more about temporary repairs - we want the job done properly.

There is no-one who doesn’t have a pothole in the road outside their home