Insurance claims for damage caused by potholes in Hertfordshire have almost quadrupled in three years.

The number levelled against the county council has risen from 466 in 2021 to 1,822 in 2023, a 390 per cent increase, according figures published by the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor and Lib Dem spokesperson for highways and transport, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, has criticised the Conservative-run authority for failing to fix enough potholes in the area, adding "it's just not good enough".

He said the “staggering” rise and the “evidence on the streets” showed the council had failed to tackle the problem, despite claims it doubled the number of repairs last year. 

Watford Observer: Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst claimed the council had failed to tackle the problem.Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst claimed the council had failed to tackle the problem. (Image: Stephen Giles-Medhurst)

“Every week I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues are reporting literally dozens of potholes. Often it can take weeks if not months to get some repaired and others the council refuse to do saying they are 'not big enough', he added.

“They seem to want an insurance claim or bigger holes, which at this time of year are full of water, before they do anything. This is so wrong.”

He said it was “no wonder” that the amount of complaints had increased as suggestions to repair small holes before they worsen had been ignored.

John Crouch, 74, from South Oxhey, lamented the state of local roads after the front wheels of his Citroen C3 Picasso were damaged on the junction of Hempstead Road and Stratford Way this month.

Although the hole has now been filled, he is still working out the extent of the damage and has sent a £1,500 insurance claim to the county council.

The retired windscreen technician said: “If you go out of the area, you don’t have half of these problems, it’s unbelievable.

“It’s like going from the pits to the luxurious.”

Watford Observer: John Crouch has sent a £1,500 claim to the council after his car was damaged by a pothole in Watford.John Crouch has sent a £1,500 claim to the council after his car was damaged by a pothole in Watford. (Image: John Crouch)

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council said: “Like other local authorities, we have seen an increase in insurance claims from motorists in relation to damage caused by potholes. 

“We aim to make the most significant potholes safe within 24 hours but the majority of potholes that are big enough to need rapid attention receive a first-time permanent repair either within five days or within 20 days, depending on factors like the size of the pothole and how busy the road is." 

They encouraged road users to report any issues online, including smaller potholes which are repaired through planned road resurfacing.