Rochdale Council pays out over £50,000 for pothole damage

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council have spent £55,315.77 compensating motorists for damage caused by potholes since 2012, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have revealed. Nationally a total of £12 million has been paid out over the last four years, with an average payment per person of £650.

The figures were uncovered by Freedom of Information requests to 500 councils by the Liberal Democrats.

Local Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Andy Kelly said: "Speaking to local people potholes and the state of our roads remains a huge concern. Labour claimed before the local elections last May that fixing our broken roads and pavements would be a priority. We have seen virtually no progress on this and my warning at the time that this was a political stunt is proving correct. Labour's failure to fix our broken roads is costing us dearly.

"This is a lose-lose situation for everyone, whether they are motorists, councils or taxpayers. Rochdale people already have to fork out so much to drive a car, the least they should expect is that their vehicle doesn't get ruined by the disgraceful state of our streets. Thousands of pounds are now being spent on pay-outs that should have been invested instead in fixing our roads.

"This is a symptom of the short-termist approach being taken to infrastructure investment. Roads should be fixed quickly so this compensation does not have to be paid out in the first place."