Compensation paid to drivers for potholes runs into millions
Compensation paid by councils across the West to drivers whose cars have been damaged by potholes has topped £1 million for the first time.
Figures out today show that thousands of motorists have claimed for the damage done to their cars from potholes.
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Two cold winters in 2010 and 2011 saw a huge jump in the numbers of potholes, and the increase in the number of motorists claiming compensation for repairs from their local council was also made bigger by more widespread knowledge of how to go about making a claim.
Nationally, the research by consumer group Which? showed councils paid more than £20 million in compensation, £1 million of which came from roads in the West.
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Has your car been damaged by a pothole or has the icy weather opened up new craters where you live? Let us know at citizen.news@glosmedia.co.uk.
Comments
by IsitJimKerr
Monday, January 21 2013, 10:34AM
“A couple of years ago, I was going up Painswick Hill, and heard a loud bang. I stopped to find that my front left alloy was completely destroyed.
I walked back a few yards and found a b****y great pothole.
I changed the spare, got back home, and went back with my camera and a tape measure.
I then called the Highways Dept, and they gave me an incident number, and said they would send a form.
They also said they would fill the hole in, in a max of three days after the incident was reported.
I filled the form in, and sent photos, dimensions etc.
They sent me back a full page of gobbleydee****, which basically translated as, as there had been no complaints before, and becuase there was an inspection regime, I could not claim.
I contacted the R.A.C. and they confirmed this was legal, but it was also daylight robbery, and that in 99% of cases, the Council knew EXACTLY where every problem was, but only responded to claims like mine in this manner.
So I was left with a £400.00 bill, for alloy and tyre.
So now, I go VERY SLOWLY around all potholes, so if you're following me, and I'm a bit slow.......................TOUGH!!.....blame it on the Council......@r$£h0|£$.”
by QuedgeleyGuy
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:19PM
“Melt down all the Speed Bumps and use them to fill the Potholes. :-)”
by theoldbean
Saturday, January 19 2013, 2:57PM
“you can claim for anything tishwash,the problem lies with where the blame is and these councils are very clever with washing their hands for the blame.Its very obvious that speed bumps etc are causing a lot of suspension problems for drivers but whose to say you never went over a grass verge for instance!!....Thats the kind of response you will get,report the pot hole(I am sure there is somewhere to do this without looking) and if its not repaired within a certain time then its time to put the claim in”
by LewBrush
Saturday, January 19 2013, 12:54PM
“In Mill Lane, Brockworth the repair crew filled in a big pothole, another one which was equally as big and deep was left as it was. Words fail me!”
by tishwash
Saturday, January 19 2013, 12:13PM
“Didn't even know you could claim....
Can you claim about your suspension and tracking due to the sleeping policeman/turtle traffic calming measures everywhere?”
by Matt1006
Saturday, January 19 2013, 11:55AM
“Councils across the West? That's a large area.
How about breaking it down Council-by-Council. How much money has Gloucestershire Highways (i.e. Gloucestershire County Council) paid out?”