Kent celebrates 23,000th pothole repair as part of major roads reform

Kent County Council (KCC) has marked a major milestone in its new approach to road maintenance, with the 23,000th pothole repaired since May as part of a programme to reform Kent’s roads.

This achievement highlights the scale and pace of work being delivered to improve road conditions across the county. Alongside this record number of repairs, KCC has invested heavily in preventative treatments and larger-scale patching to protect road surfaces and reduce future potholes.

Recent achievements include:

• 23,000 potholes repaired between May and November 2025 – up from 18,617 in the same period last year

• 121,432 m² of patching completed, tackling clusters of defects and improving road surfaces

• More than 1 million m² of road improvements delivered so far, including: 210,000 m² of resurfacing – the size of 30 football pitches, and 825,000 m² of preservation treatments to prevent potholes from forming – equivalent to 118 football pitches.

Preventative measures – such as surface dressing and preservation treatments – seal the road surface against water damage and slow deterioration, meaning fewer potholes in future years. This proactive approach is not only more cost-effective than reactive repairs but also extends the life of Kent’s roads by up to a decade, delivering better value for money and reducing disruption for residents.

Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council, said: “Repairing our 23,000th pothole today is a fantastic milestone and shows the difference our new approach is making. Since May, we’ve not only fixed thousands of potholes but also renewed and preserved road surfaces across Kent – the equivalent of more than 140 football pitches.

“These improvements mean safer, smoother journeys for residents and businesses, and they demonstrate that every pound spent on highways is making a visible difference. By combining rapid repairs with preventative treatments, we’re building a network that’s fit for the future.”

Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Our crews have worked hard to increase the number of potholes repaired and the amount of resurfacing completed, while carrying out surface treatments to prevent potholes from forming in the first place. This preventative work is crucial because it helps us build resilience into the network, reducing the number of potholes we’ll need to fix in future years. We’re delivering a service that residents can rely on and building a network that’s fit for the future.”