Almost 500 potholes have been repaired by a council after recent snowstorms and freezing temperatures caused huge craters in roads.

The Beast from the East left its mark on Medway, with dozens of potholes opening up across the five towns, but Medway Council has surveyed the damage and is carrying out a number of repairs.

The unprecedented freezing temperatures had a huge effect on roads across the UK.

As soon as the snow and ice had thawed, the council’s highways team travelled around Medway’s main roads and those linking residential estates to survey the condition of the roads, and they have already arranged for 465 potholes to be repaired.

During the snowy conditions, the team spread 1,600 tonnes of salt on Medway’s primary and secondary routes between Monday, February 26, and Saturday, March 3.

A team also worked around the clock to refill the 455 residential salt bins across Medway.

Conditions proved difficult for Veolia staff, who suspended waste and recycling collections due to safety reasons after staff fell on icy footpaths in side roads.

Waste and recycling collections resumed on Monday, March 5 and brown bin collections resumed on Monday, March 12.

Last week they collected 1,867 tonnes of refuse and 581 tonnes of recycling, an increase of 756 tonnes and 228 tonnes, respectively, compared to collections before the snow.