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Companies that leave roads in disrepair could face fines
Companies found to be responsible for leaving potholes on the roads across the country will be penalised under new legislation introduced to deal with poor quality roads, the Department for Transport has announced.
It is expected the new law change could prevent thousands of potholes from being left behind by utility companies.
The new law is hoped to spare motorists from damage to car tyres or suspensions caused by driving over potholes.
Government data shows that currently, utility companies are failing 9% of current inspections. One company in particular is currently failing 63% of its inspections. Companies will now also have to provide more up-to-date information to local authorities on live road works. The move is hoped to aid congestion.
Councils and road authorities across Britain paid out more than £12 million in compensation to motorists between 2018 and 2021 for damage caused by poor road surfaces and potholes.
The figure was revealed following a What Car? investigation, which also showed that motorists logged more than 145,000 compensation claims for vehicle damage caused by badly maintained roads during that period.
Of those claims, 37,366 (25.7%) were successful, with authorities paying £12,991,216 in total compensation – approximately £347 per successful claim. By comparison, the cost of filling a pothole has previously been estimated to cost £47.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: "The plague of potholes is the menace of our roads. That’s why I’m ensuring companies who create them and leave roads in a poor state can be held to account more easily – protecting drivers from unfair repair costs."
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