Disgruntled drivers say a “dangerous” stretch of road leading into their village is a contender for the worst in Kent.

Residents in Stodmarsh say years of neglect have left Stodmarsh Road – which links Canterbury to surrounding settlements such as Littlebourne and Preston – in a deplorable state.

Deep potholes, uneven surfaces and water retention are just some of the issues facing motorists and cyclists on the four-mile route.

Villager Anthony O’Sullivan is leading calls for Kent County Council to intervene and has warned the authority a patch job will not do the trick.

“I’d be interested to know if there are any other publicly maintained roads in Kent that are in worse condition than this - it’s certainly a contender for one of the worst,” he said.

“A sheer lack of maintenance has led to this, and it is frankly a disgrace.

“This whole stretch needs to be resurfaced; patches here and there won’t cut it.

“For a lot of vehicles, this is the only road they can use – I only take it at walking pace.”

Fellow Stodmarsh resident Jane Burt added: “It can be the only route for certain businesses to get deliveries, which means lorries and big vehicles coming down here.

“I don’t think the council has much appreciation for the sheer volume of traffic there can be on the road.

“You can hear and see drivers and cyclists having to pass through on the wrong side of the road to not damage their vehicles. It’s dangerous and someone could easily get badly hurt.”

The stretch of road also serves Canterbury Christ Church University, which has playing fields in the area.

Width and weight restrictions in Fordwich can force traffic along the A257 towards Littlebourne, which in turn can become congested, leading to the use of Stodmarsh Road as a rat-run.

In response to the criticism, a Kent County Council spokesperson sought to reassure the public it is doing whatever it can to rectify the issues.

And in a move which will no doubt prove popular with Stodmarsh residents, a large-scale resurfacing is on the cards in a bid to tackle the troublesome road.

The authority said: “We know how disruptive and frustrating it can be for the public when potholes are left untreated, which is why we remain focused on repairing faults discovered on our highway network. We are aware of the defects on Stodmarsh Road which is inspected regularly as part of our inspection regime. Unfortunately, due to the excessive wet weather, the road has deteriorated more quickly than expected.

“A works order has been raised and we are currently working with our Pothole Blitz contractor to agree a date to repair the road surface.

“These repairs will include medium to large-scale resurfacing, making permanent first-time fixes and also the prevention of potholes forming on the road in the future.”