Some food for thought while you are constructing your letter :
Essex Pot Hole Claims (to use as case in point/s) :
Fat chance of a speeding fine here: Anger as council put up speed camera next to giant POTHOLE
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z2H39zhPy4(Gees - Well I never !)
Dartford Crossing delays caused by dangerous pothole -http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/gravesend/10120456.Dartford_Crossing_delays_caused_by_dangerous_pothole/
London 'famous' incident : Peaches Geldof spills the baby but not her phone, as she scoops him up and carries on the conversation
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... z2H39Euxv024.8.12
Potholes which damaged cars prompt council payouts
Pothole in Horley, Surrey Potholes like this one in Horley, Surrey, have caused damage to car tyres and suspensions
Local authorities in England have paid out hundreds of thousands of pounds to drivers whose cars were damaged by potholes.
According to Britannia Rescue, Surrey County Council awarded £638,239 in compensation between 2010 and 2012, the highest amount.
Nottinghamshire County Council awarded £158,578 and Kent County Council £133,593.
Britannia obtained the figures through Freedom of Information requests.
The claims included damage to wheel rims, punctured tyres and damaged suspension.
Severe weather over the winter and a failure to repair damaged roads has been blamed for the potholes.
However, John Furey, from Surrey County Council, said: "We have done an enormous amount to improve Surrey's roads."
He said more than 40,000 potholes had been filled since May 2011.
Money paid out by local authorities between 2010-2012*
1. Surrey County Council - £638,239
2. Nottinghamshire County Council - £158,578
3. Kent County Council - £133,593
4. Lincolnshire County Council - £119,706
5. Worcestershire County Council - £110,656
6. Essex County Council - £103,507
7. Hertfordshire County Council - £101,630
8. Lancashire County Council - £97,160
9. East Sussex County Council - £86,591
10. Wiltshire County Council - £83,043
* Data provided to Britannia Rescue through the Freedom of Information Act
Response to Essex pothole complaint a 'waste of money' :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-13197513Drivers’ Haven Road pothole pain :
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/9587 ... hole_pain/£5m paid out in pothole damage over 2 years :
http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/%C2%A35m-pa ... er-2-yearsMotorists in the UK have received nearly £5 million in compensation over the last two years for damage caused to their vehicles by potholes and poorly maintained roads.
But with the coalition slashing government spending on road improvements further still, experts fear the situation will only get worse in the future.
1.7 million potholes on UK roadsPothole-proof car brandsThis is according to a study by breakdown firm Britannia Rescue, which also says it costs just £50 to fix a pothole.
Which means 96,000 of these road scars could have been fixed if councils had spent the £4.8 million they’ve paid out to repair damaged cars on tackling the cause of the problem instead.
Officials received a total of 54,000 claims for damage to vehicles during the last 24 months, resulting in an average payout of £132. Though Britannia Rescue’s findings suggest some claims were as high as £3,000.
They may look innocuous, but potholes can cause serious damage to a car. Problems reported include ruined tyres, broken suspension components, failed parts in the steering system and damaged alloy wheels and wheel trims.
One in eight drivers (12.5%) have lodged complaints with town halls since 2010, with Surrey County Council topping the list of payouts. The local authority compensated drivers £638,239 in total, spread over 3,650 claims.
According to Britannia Rescue Managing Director, Peter Horton, “cuts in maintenance funding leave councils difficult choices on roads they prioritise for repair.”
The top 10 councils for pothole compensation claims paid out within the last two years are as follows:
1 ) Surrey – £632,239 (3,650 claims)
2 ) Barnsley – £241,202 (296 claims)
3 ) Nottingham – £158,578 (777 claims)
4 ) Kent – £133,593 (4,904 claims)
5 ) Lincolnshire – £119,706 (620 claims)
6 ) Worcestershire – £110,560 (668 claims)
7 ) Essex – £103,507 (2,696 claims)
8 ) Hertfordshire – £101,630 (1,739 claims)
9 ) Lancashire – £97,160 (626 claims)
10 ) East Sussex – £86,591 (1,388 claims)
Curious how the numbers are slightly different!