Councils in the region have paid out over £1.6m in compensation due to uneven payments since 2019.
All seven regional authorities have parted with at least tens of thousands of pounds to settle injury claims with most forking out six figure sums.
However, Northumberland County Council has parted with the most cash, handing out over £670,000 to settle 53 claims between 2019 and 2022.
One claim alone in 2021 cost Northumberland more than £128,600. South Tyneside Council ranks the lowest in terms of total compensation paying just over £32,500 for nine claims.
Durham County Council ranks 5th with £105,405.50. In analysing this we find that our roads and footpaths in the region are disintegrating with cracks and potholes everywhere, broken paving flags and worn out tarmac on footpaths – never have our roads and footpaths been in such a disgusting state. Yes, the Councils are responsible for repairs but it is central government which is totally to blame for starving councils of adequate revenue support; over the past 13 or so years, no matter what our Ministers and MPs might have us believe. Garages will tell you that they have never had so many repair jobs for suspensions, tyres etc. Andm it is time that the powers that be are held responsible for the cost to so many vehicles. Years of neglect will only mean massive costs in the years to come.
We need to use better enforcement action to prevent lazy drivers from parking on the pavements then you may not get so big a problem of broken paving slabs.
The cost of damage to cars amounts to some £3m, but that is for another time.
Vince Crosby