The number of reported potholes has almost tripled in two years as highways bosses trial new kit for better repairs.

Kent County Council (KCC) data comparing a 10 week period in late 2023 compared to the same time frame in 2021 shows a sharp rise in crumbling highways.

Dubbed 'car killers' by driving instructors due to the damage they can cause to their vehicles, potholes appear after heavy rain and cold weather, particularly in winter.

The KCC figures show reports of potholes between October 1 to December 19 2023 numbered 5,510 compared to 1,959 in the same period in 2021. In 2022 there were 3,073 reports.

The council says that £50m is now being ploughed into tackling the problem in Kent with new, semi-automatic technology being trialled as well as taking on additional contractors to carry out repairs.

A spokesman for the authority cautioned some cavity reports may have been duplicated.

The figures come after KentOnline reported on a father-of-three who suffered “horrific” life-changing injuries after his motorcycle hit a pothole.

Darren Crooks was riding home from Folkestone on the A260 towards Hawkinge when he hit the crater and was sent flying off his sports bike and through metal barriers at the roadside.

He needed almost 10 hours of surgery after suffering a fractured right femur and broken bones in his other leg and foot.

The pothole was filled in shortly after, but Mr Crooks says it has since began to reappear.

Kent County Council have spent millions trying to fix the roads and look for long term repairs.

In August, the authority hired six contractors to help tackle the pothole crisis ahead of the winter months. The repair list was so long, bosses conceeded it could take until the autumn to get through them.

In November, the government pledged £150 million to tackle the “scourge of potholes” and other road issues across the country.

But the issue remains.

Thanet Labour member Cllr Barry Lewis said: "The present Conservative administration only reacts to the problem of potholes and needs to quickly invest in long-term solutions through advanced technology."

Cllr Lewis added that a changing climate with more frequent bursts of heavy rain as well as allowing heavier HGVs on the roads are adding to the problem.

He added: "The council needs to repair whole sections of roads prone to potholes with a fix that will last years, not a few months after a patching crew has been through."

A KCC spokesman said: “We know how disruptive and frustrating it can be for the travelling public when potholes are left untreated, which is why we are remaining focused on repairing faults discovered on our highway network.

“Following a nine year high in the number of defects reported on our roads, we welcomed the additional investment from the government.

"This means that the total investment in road and footway safety critical maintenance, repairs and resurfacing for 2023/24 is expected to be in the order of £50 million.

“This funding has allowed us to appoint additional contractors whilst also introducing new and innovative solutions to our operational portfolio including trialling new resurfacing methods and semi-automatic equipment such as the Pothole Pro."

The Pothole Pro is manufactured by JCB and can repair a pothole in eight minutes and requires fewer people, the manufacturer claims.

Each machine can cost around £165,000 but can be hired out by the month from specialist firms for around £600, according to reports.

Conservative Cllr Sean Holden, who chairs the environment and transport cabinet committee, said it is crucial to bear in mind KCC looks after 5,500 miles of roads in Kent.

He added: "Speaking as a local councillor, it is top or near the near top of most residents' concerns. KCC does recognise there has been a surge in reporting in recent times and we want to get it sorted.

"We have more resources from central government which will help."

Cllr Holden, who represents Cranbrook, has spearheaded a campaign to reduce the number of road closures on Kent's highways.

Shutting roads for repairs or for work by utility companies often sends large vehicles, including HGVs, onto roads which cannot cope with them, he said.

Six months ago, the former cabinet member in charge of roads warned that the highways were in a "managed state of decline" and KCC could not afford the cost of maintaining them.

Cllr David Brazier said: "Our highways can thus be said to be in a state of managed decline. We are doing our best. We have a legal duty to maintain our highways."

Report potholes via www.kent.gov.uk/highways. If the issue is urgent and could cause a serious incident, call 03000 418181.