Despairing cyclists using Golf Road between North Deal and Sandwich need fear the route no longer now that resurfacing work has started.

In recent months the Mercury has followed the plight of cyclists who claim they and other road users are endangered by “lethal” potholes that pose as death traps – especially when hidden from view by puddles in the winter.

The Mercury reported last month that the responsibility for the road’s maintenance was inherited by Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club from cycling charity Sustrans.

But the organisation did not hand it back to the golf club in the state it had received it and so a series of repair-delaying negotiations ensued.

This week, Steve Dorritt, chairman of Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, wrote to the Mercury. He said: “Readers who have been following the correspondence about the potholes on Golf Road between Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club and Sandwich will be interested to know that it is being resurfaced this week by Kent County Council.

"It’s good news we can use it again at the weekend” - Gary Holmes, vice chairman, Deal Tri

“I would like to thank cyclists for their patience during the last few months while negotiations with KCC have been taking place.”

The three days of scheduled works started on Tuesday.

Gary Holmes, vice chairman of Deal Tri, said: “It’s been a year and a half and we’re really pleased.

“It’s a safe road as an alternative to riding along the A258 Sandwich Road and we’re delighted that Sustrans, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club and KCC have sorted it out. And it’s good news we can use it again at the weekend.”

He added that the route is very important to the cycling community in the area, especially now more people are using it to cycle to Discovery Park.

The golf club’s accountability for the road applies to the section between the club and the bird observatory hide, close to Sandwich Bay Private Estate.

The road makes up part of the National Cycle network which allows cyclists to ride from Dover to the Shetland Isles.

Sustrans took on responsibility for the road in the 1990s as part of a legal agreement and was obligated to keep it in a good state of repair. After a change of policy last year, accountability was transferred to the club.