ESSEX motorists have received pay-outs topping £1.2 million in compensation for damage to their vehicles caused by potholes in last four years.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act also revealed some £12 million was paid nationally, with an average payment of £650.

The figures were uncovered by the Liberal Democrats who probed 500 councils.

Lib Dem county councillor Stephen Robinson said: “This is a lose-lose situation for motorists, councils and taxpayers.

“Thousands of pounds are now being spent on pay-outs that could have been invested instead in fixing our roads.

“This is a symptom of the short-termism taken to infrastructure investment by our Conservative-run Council and Government.

“Roads should be fixed quickly so this compensation does not have to be paid out in the first place.”

Previous surveys have shown Essex as having one of the worst records for potholes in the country, with it making among the highest number of compensatory payments.

In October last year, Essex County Council revealed the number of potholes on main routes in the county dropped by 47 per cent between June and September.

A total of 2,627 defects were repaired in the period, compared to 1,638 over the previous quarter .

Cllr Eddie Johnson, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “These figures need to be seen in context as we are one of the largest authorities in the country with one of the largest road networks stretching over more than 5,000 miles.

“All compensation claims received by the Council are investigated fully and damages paid if the Council has been liable.

“The financial figure provided is not only for compensation, but includes other payments such as third party solicitors’ costs and court fees.

“Over the last few years we have focused resources on our priority routes to keep Essex residents and businesses moving.

“Now that these have seen significant improvements, we have shifted our focus to local roads which have seen pothole numbers drop by a fifth over the last six months following a record-breaking summer for road surfacing which saw well over three million square metres of surface dressing completed, and £66 million investment in our county’s roads.” 

The council has a website where people can report potholes.

Visit essexhighways.org/Transport-and-Roads/Roads-and-Pavements/Potholes.aspx