Pothole percentages - claims and repairs
Case reference FOI2024/00715
Published 3 May 2024
Request
I would like to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The National Highways definition of the Local Road Network is that portion of the Road Network for which a Local Government is responsible, and is eligible for funding from the State Government to operate and maintain.
With this in mind, for the last calendar year (January 2023 - Dec 2023) or last full year for which you have recorded figures, please would you disclose:
1a. The percentage of compensation claims, brought by drivers for vehicle damage from potholes in your Local Road Network, which were not paid out by your council (i.e. the total number of claims submitted to your council for pothole-related vehicle damage, versus the total number of claims paid out by your council).
1b. Your council's criteria for compensating, or not compensating, a driver who brings such a claim. For reference, please find an example of the information I am requesting, here: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/media/31141/HighwayClaimsData/pdf/Highway_Claims_Data.pdf?m=1699722169190
2. The percentage of potholes - identified by or reported to your council by any individual, public or council member - which were subsequently fixed, across your local road network.
Response
I would like to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The National Highways definition of the Local Road Network is that portion of the Road Network for which a Local Government is responsible, and is eligible for funding from the State Government to operate and maintain.
With this in mind, for the last calendar year (January 2023 - Dec 2023) or last full year for which you have recorded figures, please would you disclose:
1a. The percentage of compensation claims, brought by drivers for vehicle damage from potholes in your Local Road Network, which were not paid out by your council (i.e. the total number of claims submitted to your council for pothole-related vehicle damage, versus the total number of claims paid out by your council).
A) The Service Area record their data in financial years. To cover the period requested (January 2023 - Dec 2023), please see the information below for the last 2 financial years:
For 2022/23 the Service Area have confirmed the number of claims submitted was 158 and 18 claims were paid. The percentage of claims not paid was 89%.
For 2023/24 the Service Area have confirmed the number of claims submitted was 332 and 12 claims were paid. The percentage of claims not paid was 96%.
1b. Your council's criteria for compensating, or not compensating, a driver who brings such a claim. For reference, please find an example of the information I am requesting, here: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/media/31141/HighwayClaimsData/pdf/Highway_Claims_Data.pdf?m=1699722169190
A) The Service Area have advised claims relating to potholes in the carriageway are assessed against Section 58 of the Highways Act 1980. Where it is considered that we have a valid Section 58 defense, then claims will be rejected.
2. The percentage of potholes - identified by or reported to your council by any individual, public or council member - which were subsequently fixed, across your local road network.
A) The Service Area have confirmed that 99.34% of all Carriageway Patching jobs raised have been completed. Please note, carriageway patching jobs are raised following defects (potholes) identified by any individual, public or council member, or identified through our inspection regime.
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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