mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 7/4/09 at 08:57 PM |
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http://www.potholes.co.uk/
http://www.potholes.co.uk/
Time to fight back
Think we shall start the ball rolling
Step-by-step guide
With the help of experts in the field of highway engineering, local government and those who defend claims against local authorities, Potholes.co.uk
has put together a step-by-step guide to help you make a claim if a pothole has damaged your car.
Gather evidence
Step 1: Gather evidence
Gather evidence of the pothole as soon as you hit it. As long as it's completely safe to do so, take photographs, measure the pothole's
width and depth and note anything else about it, such as its position on a blind corner, whether it was hidden from view, etc.
Find out about gathering information
Report the pothole
Step 2: Report the pothole
Report the pothole on Potholes.co.uk and to the relevant council or highways agency - being a "good citizen" and helping other motorists
will do your case no harm.
About reporting the pothole
Find out who is responsible for the road
Submit a Freedom of Information Act
Step 3: Submit a Freedom of Information Act
Submit a Freedom of Information Act to the relevant council or highways agency to find out how often the road is inspected and maintained.
About Freedom of Information requests
Don't be deterred
Step 4: Don't be deterred
If (or when!) your claim gets rejected under section 58 of the Highways Act, don't panic - this is to be expected and not the end of the
story.
What is Section 58 of the Highways Act?
Read the national code
Step 5: Read the national code
Download the national code of good practice for highway maintenance.
Find the code at http://www.roadscodes.org
Make your claim
Step 6: Make your claim
Stay calm at all times - remember when contacting a council that anything you say could be read out in court, so make sure you sound professional as
much as you can and never lose your temper.
More information about making your claim
Analyse your council's practice
Step 7: Analyse your council's practice
Highlight both where your council's maintenance programme mirrors the code and where it differs - this will help you consider how they may fight
your claim
Consider your case carefully
Step 8: Consider your case carefully
Consider your case carefully - if the council's inspection policy mirrors the national code and they've followed what they are supposed
to, your claim is unlikely to succeed.
Assessing the council or highways agency's defence
Don't be hasty
Step 9: Don't be hasty
Don't rush to issue Court proceedings or appoint a solicitor.
Be willing to negotiate
Step 10: Be willing to negotiate
If an offer is made, be willing to negotiate and maybe accept less than you claimed for.
What compensation you may receive
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jollygreengiant
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| posted on 7/4/09 at 09:32 PM |
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Around Rushden, it would be quicker and easier to report the good bits of road, rather than the potholes.
Beware of the Goldfish in the tulip mines. The ONLY defence against them is smoking peanut butter sandwiches.
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mad4x4
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| posted on 8/4/09 at 06:48 AM |
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Kirkhill Industrial Estate in DYCE (Aberdee)n)
IS as bad easier to report bits of tar that are good
I actually wrote to the council congratulating them on there new 5 year plan to eliminate cars from the industrial estate by "letting the roads
fall into such as state of dis-repair that no B**ger could drive on them" - Surprise Surpries got no response.
Scot's do it better in Kilts.
MK INDY's Don't Self Centre Regardless of MK Setting !
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269butcher
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 posted on 8/4/09 at 07:58 AM |
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Well if you come to Malta you will get use of the potholes don't worry even in new roads after the first rain and some wind you will discover
the Moon.
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BenB
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| posted on 8/4/09 at 09:44 AM |
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Oh yes! I remember Maltese roads! Jeez! Now they have real potholes, makes our efforts look positively amateur.....
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JimM
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| posted on 8/4/09 at 11:56 AM |
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Tried this a couple of years back when my sons car hit a pothole and blew both nearside tyres and bucked his alloy wheels.
At the scene were ~ 10 wheel covers of various designs - plenty of other cars also impacted by the hole.
I took pictures of the pot hole, location to kerb, meaurements and a nice line up of the various wheel covers.
Sent the claim, spoke to a council rep who indicated there should be no problem then a few weeks later was told by the legal folks that the claim was
turned down.
Not easy to get cash out of these bu**ers ....
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