Councils 'have tightened pothole payout criteria'

05/02/2024 | CHRIS AMES

Compensation paid by councils for damage caused by potholes has fallen by more than a half, with some giving out ‘next to nothing’, according to a new analysis of official data.

Based on data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by the Liberal Democrats and reported last month, the Telegraph reported that compensation paid by 85 councils fell from £3.7m to £1.7m between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

In fact, payouts by the same councils totalled slightly less than £1.7m in 2021-22.

AA president Edmund King said a lot of local authorities have tightened up the criteria for paying compensation.

He said: ‘Certainly what we’ve seen is that there’s been a massive increase in incidents on the roads. Drivers are damaging two wheels, two tyres and steering, which could be £5,000.

Mr King added that the amount of compensation paid out ‘varies enormously’ and that ‘some councils are literally giving out next to nothing’.

The AA said it was called out to 632,000 incidents where drivers had damaged tyres, wheels, steering or suspension as a result of hitting potholes last year.

It said this meant that on a national scale around two million vehicles damaged by potholes, costing an estimated £4.74m.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: ‘Each claim for compensation sent to a council is robustly judged on its own merits and in accordance to the law.

‘Instead of paying for costly compensation claims, councils much prefer to use their budgets to keep our roads in a good condition, in turn reducing the risk of damage to vehicles and personal injuries.

‘However, this has become increasingly challenging, with an estimated and growing £14bn backlog of repairs to bring all local roads across the country up to scratch.’

Separately, analysis by SmartSurvey named Glasgow as the 'pothole capital of Britain', with 11.7 potholes left unrepaired for every 1,000 residents, followed by Edinburgh with 8.2 per 1,000 people.

Hereford is said to be ‘pothole capital of England’, with 7.9 potholes unfixed per 1,000 residents and Wrexham the worst city in Wales with 5.9.

The data is based on areas with at least 100 pothole reports from residents on FixMyStreet, with reports marked as ‘open’ until they are resolved.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Waste Recycling Operative

£25,584 to £27,269, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Waste Recycling Operative. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Gully Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
Are you a hard-working looking for career in highway maintenance? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Highways Policy and Procedures Officer - WMF3011e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is an exciting opportunity to support the Asset Manager in developing policies and procedures Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW