The £631,000 Pothole Compensation Scandal

Essex County Council have confirmed that, over the last four years there have been 7584 claims but only 731 claims actually paid out for the same period.

That means there are 6,583 angry and frustrated motorists out there who have got nothing after claiming compensation for damage sustained to either their vehicles or to themselves. It is interesting to note that for the same period the County Council have had to pay out £631,000 in compensation to those motorists who have somehow managed to overcome all the obstacles put in their way to get a just settlement.

Lib Dem County Cllr David Kendall (Brentwood South Division) said:

"Many residents will be shocked by these figures particularly when you consider the state of the roads in Brentwood and across Essex as a whole.

"Seventy four percent of the council tax Brentwood residents pay goes to Essex County Council but on issue after issue we are not getting a fair return. I have been contacted by residents in my division who have made what I consider to be fair compensation claims but they have got absolutely nothing and been left with a choice of accepting the decision and having to pay a hefty repair bill or challenging the decision in Small Claims Court.

"I believe the County Council needs to urgently review it's pothole compensation criteria and give Essex motorists a much fairer deal than they are getting at the moment".