North London Council Spends £200k on Pothole and Pavement Claims
Harrow Council has paid over £200,000 in compensation for pothole-related injuries since 2020, with plans to improve road safety.
Harrow, Potholes, Compensation, Road Safety, Injury Claims
Harrow: A North London council has paid over £200,000 for pothole-related injuries since 2020. This information came from a Freedom of Information request. The highest payout was in 2022, totaling more than £75,000.
The council plans to double its investment in road and pavement repairs next year. When councils neglect pedestrian safety, they can face costly injury claims. Issues like potholes and uneven surfaces often lead to accidents.
In five years, Harrow Council settled 30 claims, totaling £202,846.86. The data was obtained by Accident Claims Advice. They found that most claims were for pavement defects, with 182 claims made during this period.
Harrow has a large road network of 457.4 km and 935.1 km of footways. They are prioritizing repairs based on the most damaged areas. Of the 231 pedestrian accident claims, 13% were successful, which is higher than the national average.
Local councils must maintain public spaces to ensure safety. If they fail, they can be sued for injuries. Claimants must prove the council breached its duty of care, which can be especially challenging for those with mobility issues.
Adam Gabsi, a local resident, highlighted the barriers faced by disabled people due to poorly maintained streets. He emphasized the need for urgent action to make Harrow’s streets safe and accessible for everyone.
In 2020, Harrow had 45 claims, the second-lowest in five years. The following year saw 46 claims, with five successful ones. In 2022, the council paid out £77,290.90 after nine claims were successful.
In 2023, the council faced the highest number of claims at 59, but only seven were successful. Residents complained about a deteriorating road on Village Way, which caused vibrations in their homes.
Harrow Council has invested in a new Pothole Pro machine that can fix potholes quickly. They are committed to improving road conditions and have assessed their entire road network for damage.
A council spokesperson stated that they are prioritizing road safety and have increased their budget from £6 million to £14 million. They are using new technology for long-lasting repairs and have already resurfaced many roads.
They aim to restore pride in the borough by making roads safer for everyone. Harrow Council is dedicated to addressing these issues effectively and efficiently.