A teenager has launched an online petition calling for potholes to be repaired on roads in Whitstable and Tankerton.

Alex Holliday, 13, of Wynn Road, cycles to the train station on his journey to Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham.

But on his way he describes having to dodge large potholes in the road and has started a petition appealing to KCC Highways.

He said: “I have to swerve all over the place on my journey to avoid them.

“It is a problem that has been going on for ages – every time they are filled in, they open again when winter comes.

It is a problem that has been going on for ages – every time they are filled in, they open again when winter comes - Alex Holliday, petition leader

“Tarmac is jammed into the holes and has no effect in repairing it once we get more rain and frost.”

Alex has started an online petition to raise awareness and convince the county council to take action.

He said: “At school I am doing a GCSE citizenship course and I have felt quite strongly about the issue for a while, so I thought I would try and get something done about it for my project.

“I have contacted Roger Wilkin, the interim director of KCC Highways, and our local MP Julian Brazier and hopefully I will get replies from them soon.”

Alex explained that his view was widespread in the town.

He said: “I went to Tankerton High Street and asked what people’s experiences were with potholes in the area.

“Around half of them said they had a bad experience mainly due to damage to their vehicles or water splashing out of potholes as cars drive past.”

Kent County Council spokesman Thom Morris said: "We aim to repair non-emergency faults within 28 days and emergency potholes are always made safe within two hours.

“Crews always aim to make a permanent, first-time fix by cutting out and removing damaged material, then replacing it with hot asphalt that is bonded to the freshly-cut surface and compacted to reduce the risk of failure.

“To protect investment in pothole repairs, where possible the county’s highways team seals roads with surface treatments, such as a stone and asphalt, which prevents water penetration."

Anyone spotting potholes or other road faults are asked to report details to www.kent.gov.uk/highways, where locations can be pinpointed on an interactive map and progress of the repair can be followed.

Residents are also urged to call 03000 418181 in the event of an emergency.

The petition should be online here within the next couple of days.