Lincolnshire worst for potholes

More than 1,400 people lodged compensation claims against Lincolnshire County Council over pothole damage to their cars, figures revealed today.

Of the 12 Midland councils to respond to the Freedom of Information request by insurers LV=, Lincolnshire came top for both the number of claims received in 2012/13 and the amount paid out in compensation.

Here are the top five:

• Lincolnshire County Council - 1,412 claims; £358,664.98 paid out
• Northamptonshire County Council - 735 claims; £4,249.11 paid out
• Warwickshire County Council - 437 claims; £55,561 paid out
• Worcestershire County Council - 423 claims; £12,711 paid out
• Walsall Council - 221 claims; £22,000 paid out

A Lincolnshire road has been revealed to be the worst in the Midlands for causing pothole damage to cars.

Drivers made 28 compensation claims for damage done to their cars while driving along Grantham Gorse Lane last year.

Pinfold Lane in Walsall was second worst with 19 claims, followed by Hagley Road, Birmingham, with 14 claims.

A41 Expressway in Sandwell; Moden Hill, Sedgley; and Perryfields Road, Bromsgrove; all attracted 13 claims each.

Potholes along Henley Road in Coventry sparked eight compensation claims.

Lincolnshire Council paid out almost £360,000 in compensation to motorists whose cars were damaged by potholes in the road.

The figure - the biggest payout in the country - was released as part of research claiming the country is in the grip of a "pothole epidemic", with around one pothole per mile of road.

Warwickshire Council also placed in the top ten biggest payouts, facing a bill of £55,561 for the 2012/13 financial year.