Plea to report drivers who leave damage
RESIDENTS are being asked to inform on ‘hit and run’ motorists who damage council property in crashes and then drive off from the scene.
Cheshire East Council has turned to social media and is urging witnesses to report incidents via Twitter, with pictures of the incident and vehicle registration numbers if possible
Highways bosses say motorists can sometimes flee the scene of a collision where damage has been caused to a bridge, bollard, lamppost or other street furniture.
Such incidents can cost the council - and ultimately the council tax payer.
As part of the drive to encourage witnesses to report collisions, a picture of one on the Silk Road in Macclesfield – in which a pedestrian crossing was damaged – has been released.
Other costly problems caused by road accidents can be repairs or a cleanup operation involving the carriageway itself.
Councillor Don Stockton, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Incidents can happen at any time of the day or night and, if the driver suspects they have not been spotted and if the police are not involved, they can be tempted to drive off.
“Repairing road signs, bridges, bollards and lighting columns across the borough places a significant cost on the highways budget.
“We also have to repair road surfaces following spillages of oil or contaminated waste and remove or replace trees that are damaged.”
Since 2011 the council has pursued claims worth more than £3m to cover the cost of repairs but some incidents go undetected.
It is the council’s green claims team that is responsible for chasing these matters.
Coun Stockton added: “We are no different to any other highways authority faced with trying to reclaim the costs of damaged assets.
“However, we believe that with social media and our policy of involving stakeholders and partners when incidents have occurred, we have brought about a rise in recovering costs, either directly from the person who was responsible or through their insurance company.”
Incidents can be reported to the green claims team via @CEChighways or by calling 0300 123 5020.