WREXHAM Council paid out almost £150,000 on pothole claims between 2019-21. 

Freedom of Information figures obtained by the Leader from the authority show the number of pothole reports received and the amount of money paid out by the council from 2019 to 2021. 

The data comes after the AA announced the wet weather in July caused the number of pothole-related breakdowns to jump by nearly a fifth to a five-year high.

Common problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.

Wrexham Council says they don’t have "a specific request type for recording potholes; they are recorded as surface defects. Surface defect requests include potholes, damaged ironwork, queries about resurfacing, etc…"

The number of surface defect requests received from the contact centre is detailed below; 

In 2021, 3,900 reports were made to the authority, 221 compensation claims were made, with 18 being paid out and 104 being rejected (figures based on year of settlement).

"A total of £19,269.86 was paid out for pothole-inflicted compensation claims (amount including 1st and 3rd party legal costs).

READ MORE: 

In 2020 there were 3,561 reports made, 153 claims were received by the council with 37 being paid out and 125 being rejected. £67,340.25 was paid out in total during 2020. 

In 2019, 3,536 reports were made to the authority, with 130 compensation claims being received. 59 claims were paid out, while 53 were rejected. A total of £60,375.48 was paid out by Wrexham Council during the year.

In all, there were 10,997 'road defects' reported to Wrexham Council between 2019-2021. 504 compensation claims were made, with 114 being paid out and 282 being rejected. 

A total of £146,985.59 was paid out during that time (based on the year of settlement). 

A Wrexham Council spokesperson said: “We inspect every reported defect and if actionable against policy we repair.”