Trevor’s fury after being told to spot ‘exact pothole’ that popped two …
A driver was told he had to pinpoint the exact pothole which popped two of his tyres on a bumpy street to claim back cash for repairs.
Trevor Kay said his two passenger-side tyres were punctured when he drove on a road with several potholes on Friday, August 11. But to claim money back from Stockton Council[1], the 66-year-old was told he needs to identify the precise hole which burst the tyres.
The retired steel erector and former soldier said: “I turned into Boathouse Lane near the Arriva bus station. As I turned along both my near-side tyres popped.
“I pulled over straight away. I got out of the car and looked and I had two punctures on the left hand side.
“I walked back up the street to where it happened, five or 10 yards, and there’s all these potholes. Straight away I phoned the council. I took photographs of the potholes.”
He had the two tyres replaced and submitted a claim for £90 to the council. But he was then asked for more information.
In emails seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Trevor said he did not know which of the numerous potholes caused the damage. He was told in response: “I appreciate that you may be unsure as to which pothole caused the damage, but unfortunately for us to consider your claim, it is a requirement to identify the exact defect which caused the damage.
Trevor Kay, 66, on Boathouse Lane, Stockton where he says potholes popped two of his car’s tyres
“If you are unable to identify where exactly it occurred, we will not be able to investigate and provide a response to your claim.”
Trevor said: “They sent me an email saying ‘we have to find out exactly which pothole you hit.’ I went, what?
“I have to tell them exactly which pothole I hit out of about eight or 10, which is absolutely ridiculous. When you turn a corner you don’t know exactly where potholes are.
“If I can’t identify exactly which pothole I hit, I’ve got no claim. It’s just totally wrong.
Potholes on Boathouse Lane, Stockton where Trevor Kay, 66, two of his car’s tyres were popped (Image: Gareth Lightfoot)
“What have I got to do, have cameras on my wheels, on every side of my car? I just can’t understand what they’re doing.”
Trevor, who lives on Dixon Street, Stockton[3], believes he can narrow it down to two potholes close together on a street with several holes and bumps, but said: “I could have gone through both of them. One could have taken the back, one could have taken the front.
“It’s only £90, if I was asking for thousands of pounds I’d understand. That’s my food money for this month.”
Trevor Kay, 66, on Boathouse Lane, Stockton where he says potholes popped two of his car’s tyres (Image: Gareth Lightfoot)
A Stockton Council spokesman said: “We are required by law to ask claimants to provide information on the specific defect which has caused damage to a vehicle. However, as the damage in Mr Kay’s claim may have been caused by two potholes close together, the claim is not closed and the matter has been referred to the highways team for further investigation.
“We will be in touch with Mr Kay soon to progress matters.” The council says Boathouse Lane has been inspected and defects on the road have been marked for repair work to be carried out.
References
- ^ Stockton Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Rejection of 215-home Yarm plan stands as inspector dismisses developer’s appeal (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Stockton (www.gazettelive.co.uk)