Kent County Council needs funds to fix potholes
Mr Howe, who previously worked as a highway maintenance engineer, said adequate government funding used to allow the council to resurface roads at a reasonable rate."Over the years, through many governments, there has been funding cut, cut, cut," he said. "And the state of the countries roads have all fallen in that time."Kent is not alone. Every county you go through has the same problem. And it is the severe lack of funding."
'Ready to go'
Nearly half of the region's road network – more than 13,000 miles – has less than 15 years' structural life remaining, according to the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, produced by the Asphalt Industry Alliance.Mr Howe added: "If we could have an awful lot of money, we've got companies out there, ready to go."We could do what we'd actually really like to do. And that is a strategic asset approach where you get the roads fit for purpose before they are ready to fail."In May, Reform UK took control of KCC, wiping out the Conservative majority after nearly 30 years.Mr Howe said it was "too early to tell" if the change in leadership would lead to major changes."They've got some great ideas. And they have said potholes are their priority, which is brilliant from our point of view," he said.Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said potholes had "plagued motorists for far too long"."This government is firmly on the side of drivers. Every area of England will get extra cash to tackle this problem once and for all."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
London college teaching Israeli soldiers during Gaza genocide revealed
Following months of stonewalling from ministers and officials from two consecutive UK governments, it has been revealed by Declassified that the London-based Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) has been training Israeli army officers. At least two Israeli colonels have attended the British military academy in central London during the war on Gaza since October 7, 2023. It has been reported that one of the soldiers, thought to be Elad Edri, only graduated a fortnight ago. READ MORE: Zarah Sultana reveals preference for name of new party Meanwhile, Yeftah Norkin, another officer, has led a division of the Israeli military in its invasion of Lebanon after completing a course at the college in 2024. Norkin, who comes from an influential military family, reportedly commanded a unit during Israel's 2008-9 war on Gaza, which killed hundreds of children. RCDS is regarded as a prestigious institution for military learning and mentors mid-ranking troops who aim to climb the chain of command and awards them with a certificate for international security studies. The institution describes itself as 'a world-renowned institution committed to developing strategic thinkers… who have the potential to reach the highest ranks'. Meanwhile, RCDS alumni include prominent figures within the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) including former spokesperson and Major General Hidai Zilberman and previous Chief of Staff of Israel's Southern Command, General Harel Knfao. The investigation by Declassified comes after it was revealed in June that the UK is hosting and training soldiers from the IDF despite allegations that the military is engaged in genocide in Palestine. (Image: Google Maps) Confirmation that the UK was training Israeli troops came after Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell submitted a written question at Westminster which asked, 'when the last time was that a member of the Israel Defense Forces was trained by the UK armed forces'. In a response, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard admitted that the UK was 'currently' training IDF soldiers in the UK. Pollard said: 'As part of routine defence engagement with Israel, the UK is currently training a limited number of Israel Defense Forces personnel on UK-based training courses.' MPs were also recently told that 'less than five' Israeli troops were studying in the UK on 'academic courses' at undisclosed locations. Declassified said they were repeatedly refused the information about which institutions were teaching IFD soldiers until last week, when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) disclosed that Israeli troops were being mentored at RCDS. The Freedom of Information Request said that fewer than five officers had trained at the college in 2023 and 2024 and the MoD did not offer the names and ranks of the officers or provide figures for 2025.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Trump showed ‘willingness' to move on whisky tariffs during meeting
US President Donald Trump has showed a 'willingness' to move on tariffs for Scotch whisky, John Swinney said. Scotland's First Minister met the President ahead of the opening of a second course at his Aberdeenshire golf club, where he pressed him on the 10% levy on Scotland's national drink. The tariff, it is believed, costs the sector £4 million per week, with distillery bosses keen to reach an agreement as part of the US-UK trade deal. Speaking to the PA news agency after the opening of the course, the First Minister said: 'I think there's a willingness for President Trump to look at the issues that I've set out to him. 'I don't think that was the position a few days ago, because I think President Trump was of the view that the trade deal was done and dusted and that was an end of the matter.' Mr Swinney told Mr Trump Scotch whisky was 'unique' to Scotland and the tariff was a 'significant impediment'. 'I think there is an opportunity for us to make progress,' he added. 'I wouldn't have expected to be able to get an outcome in the course of the discussion I had yesterday and this morning with President Trump, but we will follow this up with the US administration, follow up with the United Kingdom Government, to make the progress that I think Scotland would expect on this matter.' The president was asked about whisky tariffs by journalists at his Ayrshire golf course on Monday, where he appeared not to know there was an issue. 'We'll talk about that, I didn't know whisky was a problem,' Mr Trump said. 'I'm not a big whisky drinker but maybe I should be.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that the Prime Minister will not need much pressure to push the President on whisky tariffs. 'The great thing is, here, this is not a matter of putting pressure on the Prime Minister, because the Prime Minister already agrees and the Prime Minister recognises that we want to go even further on the deal we've already negotiated. 'It's a good deal for Scotland and the UK, but we want to go even further – and that's the conversations that continue.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Trump showed ‘willingness' to move on whisky tariffs during meeting
Scotland's First Minister met the president ahead of the opening of a second course at his Aberdeenshire golf club, where he pressed him on the 10% levy on Scotland's national drink. The tariff, it is believed, costs the sector £4 million per week, with distillery bosses keen to reach an agreement as part of the US-UK trade deal. Speaking to the PA news agency after the opening of the course, the First Minister said: 'I think there's a willingness for President Trump to look at the issues that I've set out to him. 'I don't think that was the position a few days ago, because I think President Trump was of the view that the trade deal was done and dusted and that was an end of the matter.' Mr Swinney told Mr Trump Scotch whisky was 'unique' to Scotland and the tariff was a 'significant impediment'. 'I think there is an opportunity for us to make progress,' he added. 'I wouldn't have expected to be able to get an outcome in the course of the discussion I had yesterday and this morning with President Trump, but we will follow this up with the US administration, follow up with the United Kingdom Government, to make the progress that I think Scotland would expect on this matter.' The president was asked about whisky tariffs by journalists at his Ayrshire golf course on Monday, where he appeared not to know there was an issue. 'We'll talk about that, I didn't know whisky was a problem,' Mr Trump said. 'I'm not a big whisky drinker but maybe I should be.'
