Pot hole damage claims rise by 273%

Vehicle damage claims against Lancashire County Council rocketed by 273 per cent in a year, according to new figures.
BUMPY RIDE: There has been a massive increase in claims for damage caused by potholes in the county.BUMPY RIDE: There has been a massive increase in claims for damage caused by potholes in the county.
BUMPY RIDE: There has been a massive increase in claims for damage caused by potholes in the county.

The cash-strapped authority, which has shelled out almost £17m on highways compensation claims in the past five years, said severe winter weather causing potholes had an impact.

For the insurance year June 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, there were a total of 1,833 highways defect claims against the authority.

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This was an increase of 35 per cent on the previous year and included a 273 per cent increase in claims related to wheel and tyre damage caused by the county’s roads.

As well as bad weather, council officials said changes to legislation around claims, limiting the amount a claimants’ solicitor could make, also led to more people coming forward before the April 2013 deadline.

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, attacked ‘compensation culture’, but said the authority was committed to repairs and increasing road safety.

Earlier this year, he announced a £56m spend in the next 12 months on road maintenance to “keep the heart of Lancashire pumping”, and has also committed more money for safety schemes.

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He said: “In spite of unprecedented Government funding cuts to services across Lancashire, we will continue to maintain our roads, cycleways and footpaths to the highest standards within the funding we have available.

“We have worked with the police to fine-tune our understanding of accidents and have established a £1m fund to improve road safety.”

He added: “The compensation industry adds to our costs and reduces the amount of money we have to spend on the services the people of Lancashire deserve.”