FIGURES released by Accident Claims Advice have shown that Reading Borough Council has spent more than £60,000 in accident claims involving highway defects in the last five years.
They showed that 122 claims for pedestrian accidents have been lodged against the council since 2020.
Councils and local authorities have a duty of care to ensure the safety of people using public spaces, such as parks, highways and footpaths.
An important part of this is ensuring the land under their control is properly maintained. If they fail to do this, pedestrians can be put at risk and the council could be sued for injury compensation.
Of the 122 pedestrian accident claims against Reading Borough Council, only 8 were settled with compensation, highlighting a large disparity–15 claims were made against the council in 2020, the lowest number of claims over the past five years.
Three years later, this number increased to 32 claims, but the council has experienced a drop in claims to 23 over the past year.
The council has paid out a total of £68,032.84 over the past five years, with the highest amount coming in 2022, standing at £35,137.81.
The AA found in 2018 that 10,572 people made claims against local councils in the UK, but only 859 – just 8% – were successful.
The Highways Act 1980 places a duty of care on local authorities to maintain many of the public highways within its boundaries.
The legislation requires a good system for regularly assessing roads and another system for repairing any defects identified.
There are many causes for pedestrian accidents, ranging from uneven surfaces to manhole and pothole defects, which can cause injuries such as sprained ankles and broken bones.
JF Law solicitor Lucy Parker said: “Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries, such as sprains, head trauma, and even broken bones, which means it’s essential that highways and footpaths are properly maintained.”
“These accidents are often caused by preventable factors, such as poorly maintained roads and pavements or inadequate signage and lighting.
“It is vital that councils are held accountable for their negligence in these cases. Victims of these accidents may face extensive medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and loss of income.
“The claims that are lodged against councils not only help victims secure the financial compensation they need but also serve as a crucial step towards ensuring that local authorities maintain safer pedestrian environments.”
A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said: “The amount paid out by Reading Borough Council since 2020 is a very low amount compared to figures reported recently by other councils which varies from double that amount to over £1m.
“This comparatively low figure is due to a substantial ongoing £8m investment in highways improvements, including £650,000 allocated to pavement resurfacing in 2024/25 alone.
“The highways improvement programme has already seen a 39% reduction in the number of pothole reports from the public, from 1,913 in 2021/22 to 1,168 in 2023/24, and the number of residential roads classified as in ‘good’ condition rising from 35% to 85%.
“The Council employs a robust monitoring programme for highways and pavement defects, based on regular risk-based inspection and repairs and complying with the Code of Practice.”
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Accident Claims Advice offers support to those who have suffered injuries due to footpath or highway defects and can determine whether they are eligible for compensation.
They operate a 24-hour helpline and claim online form, available via: accidentclaimsadvice.org.uk
