Bottomless pit

Travelling on an unfamiliar dark road recently I hit a deep pothole and immediately had a flat tyre. It was raining very heavily. A knight in shining armour came to my aid and put on my spare tyre, but I had to have a new tyre as well as my tracking adjusted. Do you think I will get any recompense from the council? What action should I take?

Asked on 6 March 2010 by D.O., Ossett

Answered by Honest John

Check with www.potholes.co.uk and with www.fixmystreet.co.uk as to whether or not this pothole had been reported to the relevant council by someone else before you suffered your damage. If it had been and nothing had been done within a reasonable period (say 2 weeks) then
you have a strong case for compensation. The fact that government allocated taxpayers money to councils to festoon our roads with speed cushions rather than keeping our roads in good condition is no excuse. The photo, taken on Thames Ditton High Street on 21st February, is a metaphor for the state of the country. A speed cushion, with a pot hole in it.

Tags: driving potholes legal issues owning

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