County Council tops list for pothole compensation refusals

A  new report by the RAC confirms Gloucestershire refused 98% of claims for damage to vehicles in the last year.

The report goes on to say that claims for compensation went up from 257 in 2022 to 829 in 2023.

Meanwhile the Conservatives - who have run the County Council for the last 20 years - are set to reward failure by extending the current highways contract for another four years.

The County Council rejected 98% of vehicle damage claims in 2023. Drivers, frustrated by worsening road conditions, filed 829 claims—over triple the 257 recorded in 2022.

Despite the surge, the Council has refused nearly all requests for compensation.

Public anger grows as local Conservatives plan to extend the road maintenance contractor’s agreement for four more years, sparking accusations of rewarding failure. Residents demand accountability, arguing that extending the contract ignores the clear evidence of poor performance.

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson (Bourton and Northleach) said “This shows a disregard for taxpayers and drivers who bear the cost of damaged vehicles. The Liberal Democrats are calling for urgent investment in highway repairs to avoid further damage to vehicles and to reduce injuries to pedestrians.”