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Sittingbourne biker orders tarmac to fill ‘dangerous’ potholes in Cowper Road by himself

A motorcyclist sick of dodging potholes says he will fill them himself if the council don’t take action soon.

Bike enthusiast Ian Magg says he has ordered tarmac and will fill in the holes in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne, himself this week if the local authority don’t do it by tomorrow.

Ian Maggs, 58, has vowed to fill the potholes in Cowper Road himself if the council do not come to fix them soon
Ian Maggs, 58, has vowed to fill the potholes in Cowper Road himself if the council do not come to fix them soon

The 58-year-old claims he’s almost crashed into parked cars, punctured his Harley Davidson and twisted his ankle trying to steady his bike after 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 has 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 from the council.

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

The biker has warned Kent County Council he will fix the potholes himself if they don’t
The biker has warned Kent County Council he will fix the potholes himself if they don’t

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 has been assured the council will be completing the work this week.

Ian Maggs riding his Harley Davidson
Ian Maggs riding his Harley Davidson

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 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 25th April.”

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