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Kent Highways' Sheppey chief admits he has not seen report on the state of The Broadway, Minster

Kent County Council has been slammed after the man responsible for the Island’s roads admitted he is yet to see the report on the state of Minster Broadway.

Alan Blackburn, who is Kent Highways’ Swale district manager, said at a meeting of the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) on Monday night that he couldn’t reveal what it says as he has not read it.

The authority had the detailed investigation carried out last July following repeated complaints from councillors and residents about the road, which is littered with potholes and has a crumbling surface in many parts.

The damaged surface in The Broadway, Minster. Library picture
The damaged surface in The Broadway, Minster. Library picture

It was hoped it would lead to complete resurfacing, but there has been no further news about what will happen, although engineers have been out ‘patching up’ some of the damage.

Cllr Ken Pugh wants the contents of the report to be made public and said it’s about time Sheppey residents were given answers as to what will happen with the area’s worst road.

“They are flapping around and just not coming clean,” he added.

“I have had enough of this.”

The Broadway, Minster. Library picture
The Broadway, Minster. Library picture

At the JTB, the Minster Cliffs councillor quizzed Mr Blackburn for an update on the road and the contents of the report.

He was told: “I can’t tell you what the report says because I haven’t seen it myself yet.”

However, Mr Blackburn did say that people at the ‘most senior level’ within Kent Highways are aware of the problem and vowed that he is pushing to get something done by this summer.

Although he was not able to give any more details about what work will be done – including a cost or date.

Cllr Pugh said he is surprised Mr Blackburn hasn’t seen the report and said he feels

Islanders are being ‘fobbed off’ by the authority.

“It’s been four years I have been raising [the issue] with Highways,” he said.

“If Mr Blackburn hasn’t seen the report why hasn’t he seen it?”

Cllr Pugh says he now plans to bypass Highways officers and go straight to the cabinet member for transport Cllr David Brazier.

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