A man spent hundreds on replacement car tyres after driving over a pothole and fears the council will not reimburse him.
Carl Turner, 46, told Watford Observer he had to fork out £370 on New Year’s Day after two of his tyres were ruined in Prestwick Road, South Oxhey.
It happened at around 6pm by the golf course near the junction off Hayling Road.
Read More
- Drink driver jailed for hit-and-run that killed Watford fan
- How Pelé from Abbots Langley met his namesake the football legend
He said: “It was dark and was raining so I didn’t see the pothole. When I hit it, the bang was terrifying, and my son jumped.
“I pulled over to look at the tyres and I could see the front left one was flat, and I could hear the air coming out of the back left tyre.”
The dad of two, who works on counter sales for a kitchen company, previously had driving jobs as an instructor and a coach driver for 25 years.
He said: “In all my years as a professional driver, I have never heard a bang like that.
“It was a shocking sound and was scary, it felt like something had broken under the car, it was that loud.”
Mr Turner, who lives in South Oxhey, has vowed to try and claim the tyre costs back from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC).
However, he fears he will be unsuccessful because the process requires an aerial view of the site, and the online form lasts for 30 minutes before being logged out, he claims.
Mr Turner added: “I had to drive to Southampton on the Monday, so I had to have the tyres changed on New Year’s Day, which limited my choices and cost.
“I think the council should cover the cost of the tyres due to their poor maintenance.
“And I have since found out the pothole was reported the day before I drove over it.”
An HCC spokesperson said: “We can’t comment on whether or not this claim will be paid as it is still being assessed.”
They added they are not aware of anyone complaining about the online time out period and all requested documentation is to prevent delays.
What is the worst pothole you have seen?
It's that time of year when the weather has an impact on the roads. Send us photos of some of the worst potholes you have seen? They can be on your road or near where you live.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel