William Eichler 06 February 2024

Council sued after cyclist hits pothole

Council sued after cyclist hits pothole image
Image: Gulpa / Shutterstock.com.

Staffordshire County Council is facing legal action after the triathlete Paul Hughes hit a pothole while cycling breaking multiple bones and damaging a lung.

Mr Hughes, 57, broke his ribs, pelvis, and collarbone, fractured his spine, and damaged a lung when he was thrown from his bike in October 2022.

He is now seeking compensation and has criticised the council for failing to fix the pothole over a year later.

Mr Hughes told the MailOnline: 'I know people who have died because of pothole crashes, and I think people need to be made aware of it and I think that's a good thing.

'I understand the Council haven't got a bottomless pit for doing stuff, but I think they could do a lot more.'

Staffordshire County Council cabinet Member for Highways and Transport David Williams said he was sorry to hear about the accident.

He added: ‘The recent very wet weather has seen a rise in new pothole reports, and our crews will be carrying out numerous temporary and permanent repairs to the roads. All reported issues are inspected as soon as possible and assessed for their severity, and we deal with any defect that poses an immediate risk as a priority.’

Check out: Potholes: the drivers’ biggest pain.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Transport and Major Work Manager

Slough Borough Council
£54,556 to £60,085 per year Inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance of £1096
Drive the future of transport and infrastructure in Slough Slough, Berkshire
Recuriter: Slough Borough Council

Service Director - Environment

City Of Doncaster Council
£108,164 per annum
We are looking for an energetic and resilient leader to become our next Service Director of Environment here at City of Doncaster. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Environmental Health Officer – Food, Health & Safety & Animal Licensing

Ashfield District Council
£39,152 – £41,771 per annum plus £2,000 Market Supplement (Pay award pending)
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to carry out the full range of day-to-day functions and duties of an Environmental Health Officer Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Assertive Outreach Officer

Ashfield District Council
£28,598 - £31,022 per annum (pay award pending)
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Housing Options Team as an Assertive Outreach Officer Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Graduate EHO– Commercial and Environmental Protection

Ashfield District Council
£28,598 - £31,022
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to carry out the full range of day-to-day functions and duties Environmental Health Officer Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council
Linkedin Banner