Potholes on Long Mill Lane, Plaxtol.

by The Guv.

21 Feb 2011

After collecting my daughter from my mothers I hit a very large pothole on Long Mill Lane that was at the time partly flooded and with the rain I didn't notice the pothole as it just looked like a puddle.

Due to my career I have a camera and tape measure in the car so I turned around and took some photos and measurements. Unfortunately with the weather and the fact it was at night the photos were unclear so I returned the following morning.

The pothole measured 33" in length and 6.8" deep with a hard edge.

My alloy was badly buckled and beyond repair. The tyre which was only a few months old had a large bulge on the sidewall. Replacement alloy and tyre cost £373 including VAT.

Amazingly I was lined up for some more bad luck the following day when on the same road I hit another large pothole which was over the crest of a hill so it wasn't visible.

This time I not only buckled and bulged my other wheel and tyre but the driveshaft was damaged beyond repair and broke free! The cost of this was another £373 inc VAT + £414 inc VAT for the driveshaft.

I then had to have wheel alignment at the cost of £29.99 and around £150 in labour.

Total cost on one road was £1340! I'm submitting my claim now, I have to say that so far KCC have been fairly unhelpful. I was told that they could not e-mail or fax a claim form and that it would be sent by post which could take up to a week to process plus the delivery through 2nd class post. They then continued to say that I my not have a decision for a month or more!