Council paid out nearly £2 million on compensation claims for potholes in past five years

Pothole being repaired

Rochdale Borough Council has paid out £1,909,637.49 on compensation claims due to potholes since 2012, a Freedom of Information request submitted by the local Lib Dems has revealed.

Former Lib Dem councillor, David Clayton said: "Long suffering residents will be astonished at the amount of money being spent to settle compensation claims.

“The total figure paid for failing to deal with our broken roads and pavements is set to top £2,000,000 over five years and that is not acceptable."

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for highways, said: “If someone has a legitimate pothole compensation claim, then the council will consider it.

"We are spending an extra £1millon this year fixing potholes and this borough-wide programme to repair the roads should be welcomed.

"Last year, according to an independent survey, the council received the lowest number of pothole claims of any Greater Manchester Council.”