savcom Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 We were unlucky enough to catch our left wheels in a pothole just south of Smallfield, in Surrey on Saturday afternoon, with the result that both the left hand tyres let go. Ever tried to repair two punctures at the same time? Yes, it's difficult. Luckily a local Kwikfit was still open and had two tyres in stock, so, with the help of my daughter ferrying tyres back and forth we were able to repair one and then the other. (the splits, by the way, would not have been repairable without the spare) By the way - don't rely on the AA for recovery if this happens to you - they say it's an 'accident' not a 'breakdown' so Relay does not apply. Hope you don't get affected!! The only good thing to come from that is that we now have decent new Continentals on the front. Safe Driving Savcom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRC89 Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 http://www.potholes.co.uk/claims/how_to_claim The local council is responsible for pothole damage caused by a pothole on a public road in their constituency. I think, it's the Highway agency for motorways, and down to the private owner on private land. You should find that link very useful. The fact is, if the road was properly maintained, you wouldn't of had to spend money on new parts to replace damaged ones. In your case the council is responsible for maintaining that road, and as they haven't you should be entitled to compensation of some sort. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savcom Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 Thanks for that. I'll get going. I'll keep you guys posted. Savcom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orcomma Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 take loads of photos with a tape measure before you report it as the councils are usually very quick to fill em in and leave little evidence other than a newer piece of tarmac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRC89 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 take loads of photos with a tape measure before you report it as the councils are usually very quick to fill em in and leave little evidence other than a newer piece of tarmac. That's sound advice, several years back my dad hit a deep one in our Ford Escort GTI. The tyre and alloy were both damaged beyond repair, when he went back the next day to take pictures he found it had been filled in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark t Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I did front left in december 2008, within one month, and it was in the dark, the only time I could get there was in the dark, and by the time I saw it in the light, it was filled in!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savcom Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 Thanks, chaps. Despite the rain I have photos. (nothing else to do when waiting for the first tyre to be replaced - ). I have registered it on Surrey's web site (with photo) and on Pothole.co.uk. I have also raised an FoI request on Surrey CC to see what their policies etc. are relating to inspections and repair strategies. So we're on our way. As I said, I'll keep you all informed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 do you know if the pothole has been reported?? they will get out of any claim by saying they didn't know about it otherwise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savcom Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 That depends on their strategy for repair. The pothole clearly has been repaired in the past (judging by the photos) so they will have a difficult job proving they didn't know about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orcomma Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 they will try the "tried their hardest" clause on you (a "section 58") thing to do then is make a freedom of information request for proof they have "tried their hardest" then watch them crumble like their own tarmac! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savcom Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 Oh, by the way. This is the pothole. Evil blighter. Slope on the way in, edge on the way out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flic Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Yowser, that looks painful! I hit one a few weeks ago near new houses being built, they were digging up the drains. The first few days there were temporary traffic lights around the holes, then over the weekend some genius decided they didn't need barricading in and then BANG, there goes £200. Filled in the day after, not a leg to stand on really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iNath Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Bet it was caused by the busses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyedge Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Looks like a poor repair attempt has been made before, which IMO should make them even more liable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focus_ST-3 Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 The council should definetely be paying out. I tried to claim for a new tyre after my sidewall was ripped by this: No joy at all. In fact, I received a very cheeky letter saying that they would not provide any compensation because they knew it was there and awaiting repair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRC89 Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 No joy at all. In fact, I received a very cheeky letter saying that they would not provide any compensation because they knew it was there and awaiting repair! That just seems so stupid to me! It shouldn't matter if they know about it or not, the fact that their roads have damaged your car should leave them liable really. After all we all all pay road tax to use these roads. /rantover Oh, by the way. This is the pothole. Evil blighter. Slope on the way in, edge on the way out. That's one of the worst potholes I've ever seen, you can see where the road has cracked from impacts with the pothole! Keep us posted with how you get on! With our somewhat fragile alloys it's good to know what to do in this situation. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iNath Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 No joy at all. In fact, I received a very cheeky letter saying that they would not provide any compensation because they knew it was there and awaiting repair! To me that sounds like you have a very strong case as they've just admitted liability - ie they knew it was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savcom Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 AAAAnnnnddd ... it's been filled in. Will persevere though as I have photos and these are in the public domain now so no excuse - it was in place when I ripped holes in both my tyres. Just awaiting the Freedom of Information act response before my next step. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyb Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 No joy at all. In fact, I received a very cheeky letter saying that they would not provide any compensation because they knew it was there and awaiting repair! now that sucks! ...suppose you left a car with say a puncture in the middle of the road and it caused damage/accident to another vehicle do you think you would get away with saying that? Somehow think the police might prosecute you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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