Resident fills pothole and sends bill to council

An electrician driven potty waiting for a pothole to be repaired has fixed it himself and sent Kent County Council the bill. Peter Manning reported the deep hole in St Mildred's Road, Ramsgate, in April. After two months waiting for road crews to arrive Mr Manning decided to do his own job on the 2ft by 1ft crater.

He said: "It was a deep one and you couldn't avoid it. "Normally I wouldn't be bothered but there was a large clunk when you drove over it." Mr Manning spent an hour clearing out the hole before filling it with asphalt and padding it down.



He said: "I could have done with mixing an extra half bag because there is a slight dip, but it is nice and smooth and much safer than it was." Mr Manning then posted a letter to KCC explaining why he filled the hole and billing £22 for one hour's labour and materials. He said: "I told them that the deep hole could cause damage to vehicles or injuries to cyclists. It could even lead to negligence claims against the council.

"I think I've done them a favour, it is one pothole they can cross off the list." Neighbours applauded his efforts, with one saying: "We would have had to wait forever for the council to repair it." A spokesman for Kent County Council highways said it was gravely concerned about people filling in potholes because they may be liable for any accidents caused by their work.

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