Gloucestershire County Council has faced a total of 2,539 claims for pothole damage to vehicles between 2020 and 2025, with only £26,875 paid out, representing a mere three percent of the claims. Despite a total claimed value of £876,650, the actual payouts have been significantly low.
The breakdown of successful claims per year reveals a consistent trend of minimal payouts in comparison to the claimed amounts. In 2024/25, a total value of £182,846.19 was claimed, but only £4,184.41 was paid out. Similarly, in 2023/24, out of the £268,305.39 claimed, only £9,526.42 was paid. The figures for 2022/23, 2021/22, and 2020/21 follow this pattern of low payouts as well.
In response to this, Gloucestershire County Council emphasizes that the low level of payouts reflects the adherence to national guidelines for assessing claims, ensuring the safety of the public. The council asserts that these guidelines also prevent significant reductions in road repair budgets.
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Additionally, the council has implemented innovative approaches to enhance road conditions, including the use of spray injection patching and Roadmender machines, along with the proactive efforts of Find and Fix teams to address smaller potholes. The council’s consistent road inspections and timely repairs further aim to improve road safety for the public.