Council contractors have been forced to lay a brand new road surface around a van left parked in a street.

Fresh new asphalt has this week been laid in Dumpton Park Drive, Broadstairs, following extensive warnings issued to residents by Kent County Council.

But the smooth new surface has a van-sized hole in it, as the contractors were left with no choice but to work around a Peugeot van left parked by the kerb.

Dumpton Park Drive resident, Lesley Laird, took to Facebook to share photos of the comical sight.

She said: "The notice for the work was sent to every house, and signs put up.

"They also knocked on all doors looking for owner of van. Workmen knew I was posting to Facebook, in fact encouraged me to do it!"

One commenter suggested the contractors were "too lazy to do anything about it so just work(ed) around the problem", while another said they "should have just towed it".

But KCC does not have powers to remove vehicles, instead relying upon residents to move them following advance warnings.

A spokesman for the authority said: “We are aware of challenges faced by our contractors who have been working in Dumpton Park Drive, Broadstairs.

“Despite advance warnings through letters to residents and road signage and cones, we were unable to complete a small section of the road due to a parked vehicle.

“We will aim to return soon to complete the work.”

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