• 1 September 2010

Cracked street costs council £2.8m in compensation

by Watson Woodhouse

According to a new report detailing public liability claims, cracked roads and pavements in Edinburgh have cost the city council £2.8million in compensation settlements.

In the last ten years, 2 claims a day on average were filed against Edinburgh council which have cost the council £2.8 million. There is also a further £2.4 million in outstanding claims. The report says that 85% of road repairs were a direct result of work done by utility companies who then poorly reinstate the holes dug to fix pipes.

Since 1996 a total of 7,126 people have lodged public liability compensation claims with the council.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council does its utmost to ensure that pavements and roads are in the best possible condition for pedestrians and drivers. As the figures show, public liability claims fluctuate year on year, and while we strive to deal with each one as soon as possible, each case is different from the next. Some take longer to resolve than others through the councils claims-handling agents and, if required, through the legal process.”

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