Dumfries and Galloway Council pays out more than £300k in pothole compensation

Dumfries and Galloway Council Pays Out Over £300k in Pothole Compensation

Dumfries and Galloway Council has reportedly paid out more than £300,000 in compensation to drivers due to pothole damage over the past year. The local authority received nearly 20,000 reports of potholes in the 2023/24 period. These figures were disclosed following information requests by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, highlighting Dumfries and Galloway Council as the Scottish local authority with the highest compensation payouts in the previous year. Across Scotland, more than £4 million has been disbursed in the past five years due to pothole-related damages.

Willie Rennie MSP, the Lib Dems communities spokesperson, expressed concerns over the increasing pothole problem, stating that it not only leads to property damage and personal injuries for motorists but also places a financial burden on councils. Rennie criticised the SNP government for cutting funding to local authorities, leaving them struggling to manage infrastructure issues like potholes effectively. The Scottish Liberal Democrats have proposed plans to address Scotland’s deteriorating infrastructure, with a focus on supporting local councils better.

Data obtained from various local authorities, as requested by the Liberal Democrats, revealed that a total of £870,000 was paid in compensation in 2023/24, with Dumfries and Galloway Council accounting for £326,000 of that amount. This figure significantly surpassed the compensation payouts made by other councils, with Glasgow being the second-highest at nearly £200,000. The number of reported potholes in Dumfries and Galloway also saw a sharp increase, reaching 19,810 in the last year, compared to 13,435 in the previous year.

A spokesman for the council emphasised road improvement as a priority, with ongoing inspection and repair programs in place for reported defects. The council’s new defect reporting system encourages the public to report issues regarding roads, pavements, and other structures, allowing for timely inspections and categorisation of defects based on critical factors. This approach aims to efficiently allocate resources for enhanced safety and reliability of infrastructure across the region.

In response to the situation, a Scottish Government spokesperson highlighted the importance of local authorities in managing financial resources based on local needs and priorities. The government has reportedly increased financial support for councils, with over £14 billion made available this year, representing a real-terms rise of 2.5% compared to the previous year.

In conclusion, the escalating issue of potholes causing damage to vehicles and posing risks to motorists highlights the critical need for adequate funding and support for local authorities to address infrastructure challenges effectively. As compensation payouts continue to rise, stakeholders must collaborate to implement sustainable solutions to improve road conditions and ensure the safety of road users in the region.