Herts Lib Dems say road users deserve better as they claim 1,000 cars a year are damaged by potholes on the county’s highways

Hertfordshire’s Liberal Democrats claim 1,000 cars a year are damaged by potholes on the county’s roads.

The party’s data, showing damage has doubled in three years, is based on insurance claims made to the county council, which has paid out £150,000 to motorists since 2021.

In all, 855 claims have already been made this year, with the total expected to top 1,000 by December 31. This compares with 468 in 2021.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, the Lib Dem highways spokesman, said: “There’s a simple reason why hundreds of cars are being damaged by potholes – the state of our roads is a disgrace.

“Conservative county council leaders have totally failed to get a grip on the pothole repair system, which is not fit for purpose.

“Although the number of claims this year is lower than the all-time high of 2023 – which the Tories blamed on a ‘bad winter’ – the figure is still far too high and double what it was three years ago.

“It’s led to the absurd situation where the council pays out large sums for insurance claims when that money could be used to repair roads properly in the first place.

“Potholes don’t just damage cars – they can often be downright dangerous, and even lethal for cyclists and motorcyclists. Hertfordshire’s road users deserve better,” said Cllr Giles-Medhurst.