A council transport boss has vowed the county’s “car killer” potholes will be fixed – but just in time for winter.

Kent County Council (KCC) cabinet member Cllr David Brazier said work to repair them will not be finished until the autumn.

Wet and cold weather results in roads crumbling during the winter months and into early spring, leaving holes behind which can damage cars and cause punctures and even accidents.

Local driving instructors and taxi drivers describe potholes as “car killers” because of the harm they do to their vehicles.

Residents have complained that potholes have remained unfixed for months.

KCC said more than 26,000 have been reported in the three months to April.

Cllr Brazier told members at a full council meeting held yesterday (July 13) that the potholes will not be patched up until the autumn.

He said later: “That’s what normally happens - it’s a yearly event.”

Cllr Brazier said KCC has received a five-fold increase in enquiries but added the authority has been praised for the “alacrity” of its response.

He added: “It’s a big issue for people - it’s perfectly understandable. Potholes damage cars, they are unsightly and make the roads appear uncared for.”

KCC admitted recently that it had missed its own targets in repairing potholes.

A monitoring report presented to county councillors showed the percentage of potholes repaired within 28 days has dropped below the target KCC sets itself.

This was blamed on harsh weather conditions.

It stated: “This resulted in exceptionally high demand on the service and caused a drop in performance, with 85% of routine faults responded to in 28 days, below the 90% target.”