Home   Sittingbourne   News   Article

Kent Council Council fixes pothole in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne after motorcyclist threatens to do it himself

A motorcyclist sick of dodging potholes is delighted that he will not need to get his hands dirty as the council have completed the work themselves.

Bike enthusiast Ian Magg had ordered tarmac and planned to fill in the holes in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne, himself this week if the local authority didn’t carry out the repairs today.

A council worker came to repair the pot holes in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne
A council worker came to repair the pot holes in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne

So the 58-year-old was delighted when he looked out the window to see a council worker fixing the treacherous hole first thing this morning.

He said: “I’m very pleased. I’m not sure it was all down to me but it is a bit of a coincidence if not.”

Ian was forced to take the drastic action after claiming he had almost crashed into parked cars, punctured his Harley Davidson and twisted his ankle trying to steady his bike due to regularly falling into the cavities which have lined the road for the past eight months.

Having lost hope of the council coming to fix them, he decided it was time to take matters into his own hands.

He ordered some tarmac and warned residents about his planned roadworks.

Ian, who owns two bikes, including a hardtail chopper which does not have suspension, had planned to do the work this weekend after getting frustrated at the lack of action.

Ian Maggs planned to fill the potholes himself in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne
Ian Maggs planned to fill the potholes himself in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne

He tolf KentOnline: “It’s too dangerous for me and I’m sure no one wants to pay compensation if I get thrown off.

“Why should we pay road tax and spend money on MOTs to keep our vehicles roadworthy when the roads are not worthy.”

Due to a foot injury, riding his bikes is the only way Ian can get around, but he said it is proving increasingly tricky as he is forced to navigate the growing number of holes.

He added: “I have trouble walking with serious foot problems but the road is so bad and dangerous.

“On Thursday I hit one of the potholes and lost control. I nearly hit a parked car and twisted my ankle trying to keep the bike upright.”

Ian, who worked as an events organiser before Covid, has no experience in filling holes but was planning to enlist the help of his friend who works with tarmac.

However, after speaking to Cllr John Wright, Ian was assured the council would be completing the work this week.

He said: “The tarmac was due to be delivered at 9am on Saturday and I had warned residents it would take most of the day for me to fill all the holes.

“But I have put the delivery on hold until next Saturday now, so if it’s not done by then, I will carry on with what I had planned.”

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesman had said: “We are aware of some road surface defects in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne.

“Work has been planned for highway maintenance colleagues to complete repairs on five marked potholes on Tuesday April 25.”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More