Potholes costing councils millions in compensation
Potholes on the nation's Northern roads and footpaths have been forcing councils to pay up millions of pounds in compensation claims.
During the past four years, over £4.5m has been awarded in damages from local authorities, to drivers and pedestrians after falling personal injury victims to potholes and uneven surfaces.
They also had to fork out nearly £4m in legal and medical fees, an independent investigation revealed, meaning the total bill was over £8m.
It is possible that the total amount could even top £10m, as some local authorities failed to provide the complete information.
Motorist groups are of the opinion that these numbers are worrying, in light of last month’s cold snap. The freezing winter has left cash-strapped councils having to find further funding for the problem.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed that 8,651 claims were logged by angry motorists and pedestrians, across the North’s 12 local authorities.
Most drivers had no win no fee lawyers representing them and had councils admit liability in 1,204 cases.
In Newcastle alone the bill for trips, falls, crashes and damage to vehicles, including legal fees, came to £1,115,378 and was only topped by Sunderland which shelled out £1,926,147.
Updated on 02/03/2010