Harrow Council paid over £200,000 in damages for pothole and pavement accidents since 2020, with the highest payouts in 2022.
Councils must properly maintain pedestrian areas, as failure to do so can lead to expensive injury claims. Uneven surfaces and potholes are common causes of accidents.
Harrow Council paid 30 claims in five years related to pedestrian accidents. Incidents occurred in parks, leisure centers, and car parks, with the total compensation reaching £202,846.86. Accident Claims Advice obtained these figures. Pavement defects caused most claims, with 182 claims filed for this reason. Carriageway defects were the next most common issue, addressed in twenty-four claims.
13% of claims against Harrow succeeded, exceeding the 8% national average. Councils must ensure public safety by maintaining parks, roads, and footpaths. Failure can lead to lawsuits for injuries. Claimants must prove a breach of duty that directly caused the injury. Poor surfaces especially affect disabled people.
Adam Gabsi, the Chair of Inclusion London, stated that poor streets create barriers. Uneven pavements hinder disabled people, and broken slabs and blocked paths further pose problems. He emphasized that safe access is essential for everyone.
In 2020, Harrow faced 45 claims, with nine succeeding, totaling £73,168.14. In 2021, five of 46 claims succeeded, resulting in £24,792.62 paid out. 2022 saw £77,290.90 paid out, with nine of 48 claims succeeding.
2023 had 59 claims against the council, but only seven succeeded, totaling £27,595.20. Residents complained about Village Way’s condition, citing cracks that made homes ‘vibrate’ from traffic. In 2024, 34 claims occurred, but none succeeded.
Harrow Council attributes this to investments in addressing issues faster and better. They assessed roads and footways for damage, prioritizing repairs in the worst areas first.
A council spokesperson noted that potholes are a key priority. They increased investment from £6m to £14m, totaling £42m over three years, with the goal of making roads and pavements safer.
They use new repair technology, including pothole pro machines. They repaired over 2,000 potholes since January 2024 and resurfaced nearly 60 roads, continuing to improve roads for everyone.
