Stirling Council shells out almost £95,000 to drivers for vehicle damage caused by potholes

Stirling Council Pays Nearly £95,000 to Drivers for Pothole-Related Vehicle Damage

Stirling Council has compensated drivers with almost £95,000 for vehicle damage caused by potholes on the region’s roads over the past five years. The figures, acquired by the Scottish Liberal Democrats through a Freedom of Information request to all of Scotland’s councils, reveal the cost of pothole-related car damage from 2019 to April 2024. The highest expenditure was in the 2021/22 financial year, amounting to £58,515, followed by £24,325 in 2019/20, and £3.095.02 in 2023/24. The total sum paid out by the council during this period was £94,732.

Stirling Council routinely publishes its insurance claim statistics, with the most recent data showing 53 claims received so far this financial year, none of which have been settled yet. In contrast, Clackmannanshire spent less than £4,000 over the same period, with £3,046 spent and a peak expense of £1,321 in 2022/23. The number of potholes reported in Stirling decreased by over 50% last year, dropping from 1,502 to 632, while Clackmannanshire saw a rise from 404 to 505 reports in 2023/24.

In previous years, Stirling Council had a low success rate in handling claims related to road damage, with less than 11% of claims being approved between 2020 and the time of the report. Of the 157 claims received for vehicle damage, only 17 were successful, resulting in £4,369.75 being paid out from public funds. The council urged the public to report road defects on their website to facilitate repairs.

Insights and Summary:

The issue of potholes causing damage to vehicles and the subsequent costs incurred by councils is a common problem faced by many regions. Stirling Council’s expenditure on compensating drivers highlights the importance of maintaining road infrastructure to ensure the safety of motorists and prevent financial strains on public funds. The decrease in reported potholes in Stirling signifies some progress in road maintenance, while the rise in Clackmannanshire serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in this area.

It is crucial for councils to address pothole issues promptly to minimise the risk to road users and reduce the need for costly compensation payouts. Public awareness and reporting of road defects play a vital role in enabling councils to identify problem areas and take necessary actions to improve road conditions. The data provided by the Scottish Liberal Democrats sheds light on the financial impact of potholes on both drivers and councils, emphasizing the importance of proactive road maintenance practices for the benefit of the community.