Only four Fife pothole damage payouts

Just four motorists were awarded compensation for damage caused by potholes on Fife roads last year, despite hundreds of claims.

Fife Council has been accused of doing all it can to avoid paying up, leaving drivers out of pocket.

There were 367 claims made for damages caused by potholes.

Of the four people who did receive money, the average payout was £73.38.

Labour MSP Alex Rowley urged people to keep reporting potholes to ensure the local authority is aware of them.

It means the council cannot use lack of knowledge as a reason for refusing compensation.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed Fife Council logged 4,012 potholes for repair between

January 1 and August 31 last year.

However, the council does not know how many of those holes were actually fixed.

This is due to the introduction of a new system of recording last year.

The total cost of the repairs is also unknown.

Mr Rowley is concerned that councillors and officials do not know how much public money was spent.

The council has conceded the roads are not in the condition it would like due to weather and lockdown restrictions.

It has increased its roads maintenance budget by £4 million over the next two years.

However, Mr Rowley has called for focused action to tackle the issue.

“That should mean increasing the numbers of employees and, if necessary, Fife Council should be making the case to the government,” he said.

“The fact that last year there were 367 claims against the council for pothole damage but only four were successful demonstrates what constituents tell me. That is that they do all they can to avoid paying up.”

The Mid Scotland Fife MSP said some constituents had found their own insurance did not cover them for pothole damage.

“People are left with damaged cars and no cover to pay for repairs,” he said.

“I am also concerned that the council say they do not know how much money they spent on pothole repairs last year or, indeed, how many were repaired.

“Our roads are in an

awful mess and we need a clear plan to get them fixed from Fife Council.”

The council said it was facing a backlog.

Transportation convener Altany Craik said: “The need to improve the situation is pressing and that is why we have

committed to increasing spending on roads maintenance and repair by £2 million in each of the next two years.”

GAP: 4,012 potholes were reported, but the council does not know how many were fixed.