CONTROVERSIAL plans for a shake-up affecting how Kent’s roads are repaired and maintained have been stalled.

County councillors have demanded a rethink on cost-cutting measures involving a reduction in the number of highways depots which will be used as bases for maintenance teams and lorries.

It is another setback for KCC road chiefs, who have faced a series of problems since taking back responsibility for looking after the county’s roads from district councils.

Kent County Council wants to reduce the number of “super” depots it originally planned from three to two, one at Wrotham in west Kent and another at Ashford. As part of its efforts to stem spiralling costs, a depot planned for Dover has been scrapped.

But those plans have been delayed after an influential backbench cross-party committee unanimously demanded they be put on hold.

Members of KCC’s cabinet scrutiny committee complained KCC had failed to provide enough information about how the cuts will save money or properly thought through the risks of reducing the number of depots.

One area of concern is whether the depot planned for Wrotham will get planning permission. It lies in green belt land and has sparked widespread local opposition.

Cllr Mike Eddy (Labour), chairman of KCC’s scrutiny committee, said county councillors had now examined KCC’s plans three times and on each occasion “we have been promised savings and an improved service through investment in technology.

"These savings have not materialised and the same money for technology keeps reappearing in the forecasts.”

Cllr Roy Bullock (Con), who sits on the scrutiny committee, said: “We felt we had not been given sufficient information, including a risk assessment by which we could judge the decision by.”

Deputy leader of Kent County Council, Alex King, said: "At the request of the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee the decision to base the Highways operations on two main sites will be reviewed.

"The entire process of restructuring Kent Highway Services is focussed on the provision of the most cost effective service in order to ensure that we maximise what we spend on the service, not on the administration of it."