Blackpool tripping claims down thanks to road repairs

The amount of money Blackpool Council is paying out for tripping claims has drastically reduced.
Road repairs have helped reduce pot holes and cut the number of compensation claimsRoad repairs have helped reduce pot holes and cut the number of compensation claims
Road repairs have helped reduce pot holes and cut the number of compensation claims

In 2010 almost £2m was paid out, but in the last financial year this was slashed to £282,000.

At the end of November 2017 payouts were at £75,000 with only four months of the financial year 2017/18 to go.

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The council says the turnaround is due to the success of Project 30, the five year £30m scheme launched in 2011 which saw 40 miles of carriageway and footway repaired to reduce the number of potholes and tripping hazards.

Coun Fred Jackson, cabinet member for highways, said: “It’s fantastic to report that Project 30 has been completed successfully.

“The heavy investment in the road network has improved road surfaces across Blackpool and has seen a significant reduction in the number of highway insurance claims from members of the public.

“The project has substantially reduced the pay-outs for tripping claims from almost £2m in 2010 to £282k in 2016/17. Costs are down and confidence is up.

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"We continue to have a strong track record with completing large scale highways investments on time and within budget.

“We are committed to maintaining the roads within the town as demonstrated by our bridge improvement programme.

“The bridge maintenance investment programme involves repair works to 10 bridges across the town.

“I would like to thank people for their patience whilst the works are carried out but I am sure that everyone appreciates that it needs to be done.”