Millions of pounds raised through a controversial traffic calming scheme in Surbiton Crescent is to be spent on flying councillors to a two-week holiday in Ibiza.

The traffic scheme has raked in almost £2.5m since it was introduced late last year and has caught out about 40,000 furious motorists, leaving Kingston Council with a bludgeoning bank account

Council officials, unsure of where to spend the unexpected haul, have decided this week to fly the borough’s 48 councillors to Ibiza for a luxury holiday in peak-party season.  

Surrey Comet:

Protesters try and stop people driving through Surbiton Crescent

A spokesman said: “The money made through Surbiton Crescent more than pays for fixing the borough’s potholes, and if anything, the figure looks set to rise.

“Taking so much criticism over the scheme is exhausting. They certainly deserve a break and Ibiza in summer seems the perfect destination.

“Of course, as we’ve stressed consistently, the money is ring-fenced for transportation services so we will only spend it on flights and early morning taxi rides.

“With this much money they will all be flying first-class.”

The council is believed to have made the decision after reviewing its policy on sending a delegation to Cannes each year for the MIPIM property conference.

Campaign groups and residents have in the past blasted Kingston Council for the trip, with expenses in 2016 hitting £4,000.

The spokesman added: “Last year we got stick because the taxpayer paid, this year we’re being criticised because it’s the developers shelling out.

“MIPIM’s boring – one of this year’s talks is ‘How to forecast investment in the fast-growing Sub-Saharan region’.

“We just thought why not spend it on something they might actually enjoy?”

It is unknown what the councillors will do when they reach the notorious party island, though it is believed the opposing Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will not be sharing a hotel.

Councillor Mike Head, chair of the borough’s licensing committee, is said to be looking forward to visiting Ibiza’s famous Space nightclub for research for Kingston’s own clubbing scene.

Resident Jenny Graham, 24, said: “I visited Kingston town centre last week and it was like a ghost town.

“It could really do with a pizza restaurant or something… maybe in the Market Place?”

Did we fool you with this one? Happy April Fools Day everyone!