Mark Whitehead 19 October 2017

Councils paid out more than £3m last year due to pothole damage

Putting all the UK's potholes together would create a 40km hole stretching down to the Earth's mantle, according to research by the comparison website Confused.com.

The research, obtained through freedom of information requests to almost 200 local authorities and a survey of motorists, found more than 1m potholes were reported by drivers in 2016.

Confused.com says a third of drivers reported damage to their car from potholes and councils paid £3.1m in compensation to victims last year.

They spent more than £104m repairing potholes, but 69% of drivers think they should do more to tackle the problem.

The website has created an interactive animation showing the 40k hole which is almost four times as deep as the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean.

According to Confused.com Wiltshire Council made the biggest pay-out to victims of pothole damage, more than half a million pounds in total, followed by Surrey and Cardiff.

The cost of repairing potholes also varied widely. Westminster council came top of the list paying an average £2,400 to repair each of 250 potholes last year.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: 'If drivers experience a bump in the road, they should report it to their local council as soon as possible before the problem gets any worse.

'The cost of motoring alone is getting more and more expensive and damage repairs is a big contributor to this, as car parts increase in price as well.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker  Grade 1,  £24,796 pro rata  Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriageFixed Term, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Applications Developer

Essex County Council
Up to £500.0000 per day
Senior Applications Developer Contract
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major and Strategic Development) - WMF2479e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£45,091 - £46,142
This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Thriving Places Directorate within the Sustainable Transport Team. Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Residential Night Support Worker - WMF2480e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£34,434 - £35,412 pro rata
We’re looking for Waking Night Support Workers to join our dedicated team at 23 Hart Street. Ulverston, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner