Potholes are a real pain (From Penarth Times)

Potholes are a real pain

7:40am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Letters

THE Vale of Glamorgan Council had a two-page advertisement in the Penarth Times (September 27) entitled “Tackling potholes in the Vale”.

I found much of its content somewhat ironic.

Whilst travelling down Lavernock Road, Penarth last March, through a series of potholes in close proximity, the danger lights on my car were activated and the car suffered damage estimated by the manufacturer’s main dealer in excess of £2,000, and advised me not to drive it.

I completed the necessary claim form and included photographic evidence of the severe potholed section of the road as requested by the council. After several weeks and numerous telephone calls to the council I was unable to speak to or contact the operational manager for highways or the senior highways maintenance engineer. In September I received a letter from the Vale’s insurance company informing me that “the area in question is inspected monthly” and the area was “not noted as being defective or in need of repair at that time”. It was three weeks of winter weather later, after the inspection, when my car was damaged. Needless to say the said potholes were swiftly repaired after my insurance claim, which was ultimately refused.

My advice therefore to motorists in the Vale in future is to avoid any potholes as long as it is safe for you to do so, as you will not be compensated for any damage to your vehicle.

Mr E I Owens Lavernock Road Penarth