THE owners of a campsite claim potholes leading to their land are so bad they have resorted to filling them in themselves.

Kingston Ridge Campsite owners in Lee Chapel Lane, Laindon, have spent hundreds of pounds, over several years, filling in the holes.

They say the road is a danger to the hundreds of youngsters who will be using the campsite this summer, as well as joggers, cyclists, horses and their riders who use the lane as their regular route.

Manager Colin White said some of the campsite’s vehicles have also been damaged over the past five years, with broken suspension springs being the biggest problem.

He added: “It’s a terrible problem and we only account for about 25 per cent of the usage of the lane.

“It’s been going on for years, but has got worse with last year’s cold winter and rain.

“We fill the holes in ourselves, it gets that bad.”

Kerry Smith, Ukip county councillor for the area, has now joined the many residents who have complained to Essex County Council about the road.

Mr Smith was told by the council the problem was purely “cosmetic”, a suggestion he claims is “absolutely ridiculous”.

He added: “It’s completely unsafe. Driving the whole length of the road is treacherous. If you drive down there you would be looking at the road, not for the pedestrians.

“It’s nice weather and the summer holidays. People want to go camping and this road will be busy.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

However, Essex County Council denied the road wasaproblem.

A spokesman said: “During the inspection, no issues meeting our investigatory criteria were recorded and, therefore, we would not look to carry out any remedial work in this road in the near future.

“We will continue to monitor this road and any deterioration will be recorded and assessed. This therefore was not considered for the resurfacing programme.”