07.11.14
One in six drivers have had cars damaged by potholes – £12bn repair backlog
There are so many potholes in Britain’s roads that they have caused damage to one in six drivers’ cars over the last 12 months, according to new research from Liverpool Victoria.
Councils in areas worst hit by last year’s winter storms have seen claims for pothole damage rise by 23% while compensation claims as a whole have increased by 13% to more than 26,000.
Potholes, which can damage the suspension and wheels of a car, as well as burst tyres, develop when rain or floodwater collects in cracks on the road surface.
Official figures show that councils in England, Wales and Scotland have paid out more than £5m in compensation for potholes or other road damage in the past two financial years. So far this year Vale of Glamorgan Council has already paid out more than £152,000 in compensation, Surrey County Council has paid out £134,000 and Devon County Council has paid out £91,000.
Cllr Peter Box, the LGA's transport spokesman, said: "Despite spiralling multi-million pound compensation costs and funding cuts, councils still fixed two million potholes last year. But we need long-term funding to tackle the ever-growing £12bn roads repair backlog facing the nation.
"Last year's floods caused widespread destruction on our roads leaving people to drive on crumbling highways that are increasingly unfit for the 21st century. We share the frustration of motorists and our fear is that another harsh winter could be the tipping point for our roads.
"Tackling this crisis must be a national priority. That is why we are calling for the government to inject a further £1bn a year into roads maintenance by investing the equivalent of just two pence per litre of existing fuel duty. Our recent national polling found 83% of the public back this plan."
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