Potholes: Kent and Sussex drivers spending hundreds on car repairs

Some South East residents say they have spent hundreds on replacing tyres and wheels after driving through potholes

Drivers in the South East say they have spent hundreds of pounds repairing damage after driving over potholes, with some unable to reclaim costs.

It comes as councils in the region are preparing to spend millions tackling a pothole backlog.

Residents say some potholes have reopened again following repairs.

County councils in Kent and West Sussex have been contacted for comment. East Sussex said it could not comment on individual claims.

Three councils in the south east of England have already paid out a total of £535,000 in pothole compensation this financial year, including Surrey County Council which has paid out £452,000.

James Goodier, 67, from Burmarsh in Kent, said he and his wife were heading to an 80th birthday party last Saturday when they hit a pothole on the B2068 to Canterbury.

James Goodier said his wife was "really upset" after they had to miss an 80th birthday due to hitting a pothole

They missed the party, while a neighbour had to tow them home. A flat tyre and damaged wheel will cost him around £220 to repair.

"I'm a pensioner, so I don't want to lay out money unless I've got it," he said.

"But my wife's still working, so without a car we're up the creek without a paddle."

On the same day, Lesley Rudling, 73, from Hastings, hit a pothole in Westfield while driving with her two young grandchildren.

Dave Torrance said a pothole on Dordrecht Way, Hastings, "instantly" popped his tyre

She managed to "limp" home in the car, but said potholes in Hastings were "horrendous".

Ms Rudling now plans to try to claim £165 for replacing a tyre from East Sussex County Council.

A pothole in Hartley, which Bill Hilditch's son previously slashed his tyres on

But some people say they have been unable to recoup costs.

Jamie Savage, 49, from Mid Sussex, said he had spent around £1,000 replacing tyres since Covid.

He tried to submit a claim to West Sussex County Council, but said he was rejected because the pothole had already been identified with a white line around it.

Ms Rudling said her tyre was completely shredded by the time she got home.

Dave Torrance, 45, from Sidley, said he had a similar experience with East Sussex after being told a pothole "wasn't deep enough".

Meanwhile, Bill Hilditch, 59, from Hartley in Kent, said his son slit both side walls of two tyres on a pothole in the village.

But he said the council had refused the claim on the basis "they were not aware of the pothole".

Philip Drury, 58, from Maidstone, said the process was so "onerous" he had not made a claim despite he and his husband having to replace five tyres due to potholes within the last year.

An East Sussex Highways spokesperson said the majority of its investment focused on "preventative maintenance" such as resurfacing to prevent potholes appearing.

"We would assure the public that every compensation claim we receive is carefully assessed."

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