‘Pothole-ridden streets are like driving on last road to Beirut’

The city’s pothole-ridden streets have been branded a health hazard and likened to the roads of Beirut.

Routes leading into Canterbury are particularly perilous, they say, with Wincheap and Sturry home to some of the largest craters.

Postman Mark Horwood has singled out Oxford Road in Wincheap as one of the worst.

“My parents have lived in the road for almost 53 years,” the 56-year-old said. “It’s dangerous for anyone cycling or driving down there.

“It’s always been a bit of a state – there’s lots of stones lying in the road and you’re constantly swerving to avoid them.”

Mr Horwood, who lives in Sturry, says he and his family have complained to Kent County Council numerous times, but nothing seems to be done.

“They don’t seem to bother about these back roads,” he said. “It’s narrow, but a two-way road, which makes it dangerous.

“People are getting cheesed off as their cars can be damaged and tyres and wheels are expensive to replace.”

Mr Horwood also claims roads are not being repaired properly due to “constant cuts”.

“Some of the roads in Sturry are dodgy too, it’s the same in a lot of places,” he said.

“I think what people are really wound up about is that you’re asked to pay tax to fix these things and it’s like you are driving on the last road to Beirut.

“The problem is the constant cuts, and when we get a cold spell of weather it makes it so much worse.”

Nikki Roberts, 66, of Duckpit Road in Petham, moved from London just three months ago and has spent more than £250 repairing her tyres.

“I’ve had a disastrous time and it has cost me a lot of money,” she said. “I’ve had four punctures in three months and two of those I’ve had to replace the wheels. It’s ridiculous.

“It causes anxiety and stress for the rest of your day. These back roads and country lanes are so dangerous.

“I hit a pothole at night and was driving along a country lane. I was stuck and had no signal to call the recovery service.

“I had to flag down an oncoming car and ask her to call them for me.”

KCC spokesman Thom Morris said: “We work hard to maintain our roads to help prevent problems and potholes in the future and inspect them regularly.

“We will inspect Oxford Road and attend to any safety critical hazards found by our stewards.”

Residents are asked to report potholes and other faults online at www.kent.gov.uk/highways.

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Potholes on Oxford Road