The cost of our pot-holed roads (From Worcester News)

The cost of our pot-holed roads

7:10am Monday 27th April 2009 in Local Exclusive By James Savage , @jamessavageWN #worcsnews

MOTORISTS in Worcestershire have received nearly £300,000 in compensation over the past five years for damage caused to their vehicles on the county’s pot-holed roads.

Figures released to your Worcester News reveal Worcestershire County Council has paid out £290,086 since April 2004 – a staggering 68 per cent of that, £197,258, resulted from claims made in the last two years in the aftermath of the devastating floods in July 2007.

However, many drivers are still not being compensated for costly repair bills after unfortunate encounters with pot holes.

Your Worcester News highlighted the situation earlier this month when Amy Bright-Smith, of Falcon Close, Droitwich, was denied compensation after riding her moped over a 5ft “chasm” in Hulls Lane, near Smite, in January. Miss Bright-Smith’s plight prompted Charles Morris, of Star Lane, St. John’s, Worcester, to contact us about a similar incident.

Mr Morris, aged 68, hit a pot hole on Saturday, January 24, on the B4204 as he was heading towards Tenbury Wells.

The incident caused significant damage to his Ford Focus and he had to spend over £300 on a new wheel, tyre and re-alignment.

Worcestershire County Council did not accept responsibility for the damage as the road was inspected earlier that month.

Mr Morris said: “This was referred to as an accident by Worcestershire County Council. Accidents can happen at any time or do we have to arrange them to co-ordinate with their inspections.”

Abi Oliver, aged 21, of Salters Close, Blackpole, hit a pot-hole while driving along The Butts, Worcester, in February, and has been unable to afford to pay for the repairs to her brand new Vauxhall Corsa.

Miss Oliver was told in a letter from the county council: “Although you have incurred a loss there is not an automatic right of recovery.

“Re-imbursement is only made if there has been negligence on the part of the council.”

Miss Oliver said: “I am not at fault in the matter. The problem occurred because of the condition of the road and I believe I pay my £120 road tax every year to ensure the roads are kept to a drivable standard.”

Worcestershire County Council said it was continuing to invest more than £20million to improve roads around the county but would only compensate drivers if they have not fulfilled their statutory obligations to check the roads regularly Councillor Derek Prodger, cabinet member for environment, said: "It is a county council priority to ensure safety of all road users and we continue to invest in road improvement schemes.

“The recent exceptional weather events have accelerated deterioration in some road conditions resulting in higher claims but we have acted quickly to find and fix problems and are committed to maintaining high standards on our highways."