Developers Must Pay For Damage To Roads & Footpaths

12.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Oct 2007

Kent County Council was forced to admit yesterday that many developers carrying out building projects in Maidstone & Kent are not required to pay for damage to roads and footpaths caused during the construction process.

In a question (18.10.07.) to Keith Ferrin, Cabinet Member for the Environment, Highways and Waste, Ian Chittenden, Lib Dem Member for Maidstone North East asked what arrangements were in place to ensure that costs incurred as a result of damage to roads and pavements were met by developers and not taxpayers.

It was clear from the response that KCC did not always inspect the site before construction work began and as a result repair costs were often paid for by taxpayers.

Ian stated "I raised the question, because in spite of over 250 units being constructed using Moncktons Lane in Maidstone as the main access, and many complaints being made by local councillors and residents, there are no plans to carry out much needed repairs or resurfacing to this road".

"At a time when the reorganisation of KCC Highways Department has cost millions of pounds more than expected, and our highways continue to be in such a poor state, I would question the practice of not carrying out pre-development inspections on all major projects.

Full Question and Answer available on Kent Lib Dem Website - http://www.kent.libdems.org.uk/pages/County-Council-Questions.html