Potholes have re-appeared on a major Kent road just a week after being resurfaced.

Now people living in Upper Harbledown near Canterbury, alongside the busy A2, are complaining about the return of sleepless nights caused by the thumping noise of lorries and cars hitting them.

The fresh defects are in the same place as before and have infuriated the Upper Harbledown Residents Association which had been pressing Highways England to fix the original holes.

Nick Parker said: "After months of sleepless night, we were relieved when the road was closed for several nights and the holes filled in with huge strips of tarmac.

"We were also assured that these were very comprehensive repairs, with the site fully dug out, filled in and then new tarmac laid.

"So there was much rejoicing in the village when they were done."

"But within a week - two pot holes have returned in exactly the same place as before and where the repairs had just been made.

"So you can imagine that numerous residents are unhappy to be kept awake again by cars and lorries driving over them."

Almost 30 homes in the village are affected and among them is Emma Offredi's bungalow which backs onto the A2.

"We've been here six years and got used to a bit of background traffic noise but it's become horrendous," she said.

"When lorries crash over the potholes, the whole house shakes and the windows rattle.

"It can happen every few minutes which has become a real issue, especially for my six-year-old daughter who keeps getting woken up.

'I think one week is a bit too temporary by any standards...'

"I've forgotten what a good night's sleep is, to be honest.

"A friend called by the other day and when they heard an almighty thump, I had to tell them what it was and they couldn't believe it."

Kent was recently dubbed the "pothole capital of the UK' following a study which revealed there were 52, 425 reported between 2018 and 2020.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said the repairs on the section of the A2 were only ever meant to be temporary and further extensive works are planned.

He added: "On major routes like the A2 we carry out a rolling programme of regular safety inspections and if required, undertake repairs to keep our roads in a safe condition while causing minimal disruption for drivers.

"We recently carried out temporary repairs at this section of the A2. However there are further plans to resurface sections of the A2 in this area in the coming weeks."

But Mr Parker fears the temporary fix has quickly proved a waste of time and money.

"I think one week is a bit too temporary by any standards and then there's the cost involved, especially if they intend to go back and do a full job in the near future."

He had also hoped that the closure of the road would allow the removal of ugly graffiti on fence barriers which has not happened and is urging the city council to liaise with the Highways Agency if the road is closed again.

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