A spate of pothole damage in the English city of Stoke-on-Trent in the English Midlands (Staffordshire) has sparked a flood of compensation claims, which almost 1,000 drivers have successfully brought against the council. The payments amount to 371,914 pounds (about 436,000 euros) over four years. According to Stoke on Trent Live, a driver was awarded almost £46,000 after crashing in what appeared to be a very large pothole.
The number of compensation claims filed against the city administration between 2020 and 2024 was 1,308, of which 978 were successful. Worryingly, the number of successful claims has risen from 171 to 403 in a year, while the total amount of compensation paid has fallen from £77,892 to £41,524. This development suggests that the problem is getting worse, despite lower payments.
Stoke-on-Trent wants to improve the pothole situation
In a statement to Stoke on Trent Live, a council spokesperson said: “We recognize concerns about the increase in claims relating to pothole damage and the general condition of roads in Stoke-on-Trent. The council says it will address road”. network challenges and outlines plans to improve infrastructure in the coming years, supported by government announcements and committed funding through the Northern Network and the Local Transport Fund.
A significant amount of £134 million will be made available to the city over seven years from the Local Transport Fund. The city government already replaced 48.2 miles (about 77.5 kilometers) of roads between April and December of last year, close to the goal of 50 miles per year.
Continued success in road maintenance depends on continued financial support, according to a City Council report. Local councilor Ross Irving highlighted to The Mirror the national issue and the need to repair the worst roads in particular.
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