Payouts highlight poor state of roads

THE state of roads in Wales is often a hot topic and potholes are usually at the top of driver grievances.

Campaigners have long called for action over what they describe as the dangerous condition of some of our roads and the risks, in particular, that potholes pose.

Now one of the largest payouts has been made by Welsh Government to a driver who was injured by a pothole. After a four-year legal battle they have received more than £1.1m.

However, while the payout maybe among the largest made, a Freedom of Information Act request showed dozens of people have put in claims for damaged vehicles or personal injuries over the past five years.

The figures show the Welsh Government settled 11 claims for pothole-related vehicle damage over the past five years and a further two claims for personal injuries.

Over that time, the typical highest payout for vehicle damage claims was £1,077.

Poorly maintained roads are costing the country up to £10bn a year.

It raises the important issue of road conditions as we look to the future and the way in which we are all encouraged to go greener, use public transport and even leave our cars at home.

However, even if more of us plan on becoming green focused and reliant on public transport that shouldn’t come at the cost of leaving our road network to crumble.

The coming years will no doubt need a balance of money for the green agenda and improvements to public transport links, but also essential is the maintenance and upkeep of the roads we rely on.

Unless efforts to fill, repair and smooth potholes on our highways are made, then bodies such as Welsh Government will continue to haemorrhage money every year to payouts for damaged vehicles or personal injury.

No matter how big or indeed small payouts may be, surely it can be agreed that stemming or reducing those payouts by making roads safer and better to drive on is a more favourable outcome for all involved.

The RAC has warned that the wet winter weather was a perfect recipe for potholes to appear at this time of year and earlier in the spring.

The bottom line is that if roads are not maintained the potential risks and costs will ultimately not be financial, there could well be more lives lost due to accidents in which road conditions play a part.