A transport boss has insisted that the quality of Suffolk’s roads is improving, despite a rising number of drivers lodging compensation claims as a result of potholes.
Suffolk County Council has paid out more than £82,000 in personal injury and repair claims that have been caused by damaged roads over the past three years.
The number of claims received by the council has increased year-by-year since 2013, with 302 in the 2013/2014 financial year; 343 in 2014/2015; and 415 in 2015/2016.
However, James Finch, cabinet member for highways and transport at Suffolk County Council, said: “I don’t believe that a rise in compensation claims means our roads are getting worse, there are many reasons why people feel making a claim is necessary and of course not all claims lead to any form of settlement.”
Mr Finch said condition surveys of roads in Suffolk showed that since 2011 for all classes of road there had been a gradual improvement in condition.
He added: “This reflects our continued efforts to invest in an asset management approach, addressing underlying causes for deterioration rather than continuing to try and apply temporary fixes.”
According to data released by Suffolk County Council following a Freedom of Information request, the roads that resulted in the most pay-outs over the three-year period were: B1068 Stoke Road, Polstead; B112 Lakenheath Road, Icklingham; C442 Sproughton Road, Ipswich; C558 Ashfield Hill, Badwell Ash; and U7008 Cheveley Road, Moulton.
The highest claim was £14,387, which related to damage or injury caused by a pothole in Church Road, Stowupland.
Mr Finch said the council was this year investing £10million in resurfacing the county’s highways.
“This preventative maintenance work will help avoid potholes forming in future years on the roads that are treated,” he added. “We are delivering approximately three million square metres of new surfacing; equating to around 8% of our total highways network of 6500km of road.”
Ian Crowder, a spokesman for the AA, said potholes were one of the top reasons for its members to complain.
He added: “If you hit a pothole it’s important to get your car checked out to make sure it is still safe.”
Source: http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk_county_council_pays_out_82_000_in_compensation_claims_as_a_result_of_potholes
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