Ellie Ames 24 July 2023

Councils pay out £11m in pothole-related compensation

Councils pay out £11m in pothole-related compensation  image
Image: Bilanol / Shutterstock.com.

Over the past four years councils have paid out more than £11m to drivers who successfully claimed their vehicles had been damaged by potholes, new research has revealed.

The latest data from the RAC shows that patrols went out to more than 8,100 pothole-related breakdowns between April and June 2023, the highest number for this period in five years.

According to the RAC Pothole Index, drivers are now more than 1.6 times more likely to break down due to the repeated wear caused by potholes than they were 17 years ago.

Despite local authorities paying out £11m over the last four years, the compensation paid by councils has gone down in recent years, falling by a third between 2018/19 and 2021/22.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: ‘The fact councils are paying out money to drivers whose vehicles suffered pothole damage is another damning indictment of the state of our roads.

‘One crumb of comfort for councils is that in recent years the amount they have paid out has fallen considerably which might indicate that they are starting to get on top of defective road surfaces more quickly.

‘Conversely, it could mean drivers are reporting fewer potholes to the council which is significant because if councils are unaware of a defective road surface, then they are not obligated to pay out for vehicle repairs.’

Cllr Linda Taylor, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), said: ‘Councils would much prefer to invest in preventative measures rather than pay compensation or reactively fix potholes, which works out more expensive in the long term.’

‘Despite the best efforts of councils, our local roads repair backlog is now the biggest it has ever been. Without any more additional funding, it is estimated that it would cost £14 billion and take 11 years to clear.

‘Only by the Government providing councils with increased and long-term funding certainty can this growing problem be addressed and our roads bought up to scratch.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner