Laura Sharman 11 May 2018

Pothole ‘epidemic’ costing drivers and insurers £1m per month

Pothole-related car insurance claims have risen by 171% in the first four months of 2018, new research has revealed today.

The AA warned potholes are costing motorists and insurers at least £1m per month, with an estimated 4,200 claims made for damage so far this year.

The AA added there were more pothole claims made during the first four months of 2018 than for the whole of last year.

Janet Connor, the AA’s director of insurance, said: ‘This year we are seeing a growing number of pothole claims described as: “car severely damaged and un-driveable” which didn’t happen at all last year.

‘The pothole epidemic has become nothing short of a national disgrace.’

Ms Connor is calling for the Government to ring-fence 2p per litre of current fuel duty to create a £1bn ‘pothole fund’ for local councils.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said only 'long-term, consistent' investment from the Government would enable councils to improve the local road network.

Cllr Martin Tett, the LGA’s transport spokesman, said: 'The LGA has been calling on the Government to annually reinvest a portion of existing fuel duty into local road maintenance which would generate much needed funding for councils to spend on improving roads and filling potholes and begin addressing the £9.31bn roads repair backlog.

'In the short term, councils are likely to need more support from the Government as the full extent of the repairs needed after the recent winter weather has been made known, and we hope that the Government will stand ready to provide this.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Apprentice - Housing Management

Durham County Council
£14,566 per annum / £7.55 per hour (NMW in Second Year)
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, devel Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Crossing Patrol

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £3,383 (approx.) £12.85 per hour
Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner