Compensation and reports of damage are on the rise
DRIVERS are being paid record amounts in compensation by Cardiff Council as the state of the city’s roads worsens, an FOI request has revealed.
As of March 12, Cardiff Council had paid out £10,045 in this financial year due to compensate for pothole damage to cars. This doubles the figure for the 2022/23 financial year (£5,093) and is £1,500 more than the total paid out in the three previous years combined (£8,662).
This comes alongside a long-term rise in the number of potholes being reported across the city.
The combined 8,613 reports in 2023 and 2024 almost doubles the 4,489 recorded in 2021 and 2022.
While this could be a result of greater awareness of the issue, the state of some of Cardiff’s roads have deteriorated significantly, according to residents.
“It’s a mess and it’s dangerous,” said Fairwater resident, Rahim Mustafa.
“I cycle most of the time and I have to swerve into the road at short notice. I have no idea if a car is right behind me or over taking.
“The cars could kill, or the potholes could blow your tyre out and kill you as well.”
Mr Mustafa, who has been active on social media about the issue, highlighted Westgate Street in the city centre as a particular problem area.
“Westgate Street is pretty much sinkhole level because of the buses,” he said.
“The road is home to a 5-star hotel and is seen by thousands of visitors. They need to fill the potholes in as soon as possible and reinforce the roads.”
Despite the rise in reports and compensation payments, Cardiff Council has fixed considerably more potholes than they have been informed about.
In 2023 and 2024, over 40,000 potholes were repaired across the city, almost five times more than were reported.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Cardiff Council inspects the highway network in line with current legislation -The Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance Management and the requirements of the Highways Act 1980.
“The council uses the resources available to best effect by carrying out a variety of roadworks across the highway network including reconstruction, resurfacing, surface patching and treatments as well as temporary repairs to potholes.
“Recently the Welsh Government has awarded Cardiff an additional £10m to re-surface roads which the Council will be spending over the next 5 years.
“Potholes may be repaired temporarily until a long-term solution can be provided.
“The number of claims for damage caused by potholes in Cardiff has increased, but the value of the compensation is still relatively low for a city of Cardiff’s size. Legitimate compensations claims are settled by the local authority and any claims which are deemed to be fraudulent are investigated with a view of taking the matter to court.”
Newport Road is particularly bad
But the issue is still having a big effect on residents and some areas are worse hit than others.
Statistically, Newport Road, which connects the city centre to Cardiff’s eastern suburbs, is the worst affected street.
It has been the subject of 304 separate reports over the past five years, more than any other road.
“The situation can be quite bad around here,” said Chris Stevens, 47
“It’s been an issue for years, but I guess it’s a nationwide thing. I damaged my wheel a few years back but just paid to get it repaired, £300 all in all”
This data also coincides with Welsh Labour’s commitment to repairing and preventing potholes across the country.
In February, Welsh Transport secretary Ken Skates said: “It is crucial that we fix our roads.
“I’m delighted to be announcing a further £25m of funding to help support a comprehensive refurbishment programme to improve the future resilience of our strategic roads network and prevent potholes.”
