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Over the past five years, Scottish councils have paid out over £2 million in compensation related to vehicle damage caused by potholes, according to a BBC investigation. During the period spanning 2020/21 to 2024/25, local authorities across Scotland handled more than 18,600 claims connected to pothole damage, with just about a quarter of these resulting in payments to drivers. Both motorists and mechanics have highlighted the costly nature of repairs following encounters with these road defects.
Representing Scotland’s councils, Cosla acknowledged the financial strains local authorities face, noting that councils are under “intense pressure” and must balance numerous competing priorities. Meanwhile, the Scottish government emphasized the provision of “record funding” to local councils within the 2026/27 Budget, aiming to support their responsibilities in managing infrastructure and other essential services.
Personal experiences illustrate the ongoing issues roads present. Marie McCallum, a mobile hairdresser based in Macduff, successfully claimed compensation from Aberdeenshire Council after her car’s tyre was damaged by a pothole in 2024. She described the incident as “a bit scary,” explaining that there was no warning about the pothole, which was located on a bend and unavoidable due to oncoming traffic. She was reimbursed for nearly 90% of the damage cost, nearly £200, after submitting photographic evidence and receipts. Marie expressed concern about persistent potholes on her local roads, stating that drivers must constantly be vigilant to avoid further damage.
Data obtained via freedom of information requests indicate that compensation rates vary widely across Scotland. Out of the 32 councils, 25 provided complete data, revealing a total payout of just over £2 million, though the actual figure is likely higher. On average, 22% of claims were successful nationwide, compared to 24% across Britain. Councils like Highland paid out on a significant 74% of claims and had the highest payout total of about £580,000. In contrast, City of Edinburgh and Ayrshire councils compensated only around 6% of claims. Dumfries and Galloway received the most claims overall, tallying over 3,100, while Shetland Islands saw just a single claim during the same period.
Recent trends suggest the pothole problem may be worsening. The AA recorded over 5,200 pothole-related vehicle incidents in Scotland in March alone, marking an 8% increase from the previous month and a higher monthly average than recent years. Local garages, such as Westhill Cars, have noticed an uptick in vehicles needing repairs to suspension components, wheels, tyres, and alignments—all attributed to poor road conditions. Lewis Mennie, manager at Westhill Cars, commented on the frustration this causes customers, noting that some relatively new vehicles require replacement parts earlier than expected due solely to roads’ state. He also raised safety concerns, pointing out that potholes can lead to dangerous manoeuvres such as swerving.
However, despite the rising number of incidents, drivers are not automatically entitled to compensation. Payments depend on whether the council is legally liable, which can be complicated if third parties are involved with road maintenance or repairs. Claims generally pertain to vehicle damage, personal injury, or property loss, but the council must have responsibility for the specific stretch of road where the incident occurred.
The growing financial pressure on councils is portrayed by Cosla as a challenge to maintaining road quality. They stressed that while councils are committed to road safety and necessary repairs, flat cash capital settlements and competing priorities strain budgets. This situation inevitably impacts service delivery, including road maintenance. The Scottish government reiterated that while record funding of £15.7 billion is allocated to local authorities, individual councils decide how to distribute resources based on local needs and priorities.
Across the
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