‘Danger still remains’ says MP after council’s pothole payout (From Haringey Independent)

‘Danger still remains’ says MP after Haringey Borough Council’s pothole payout

1:56pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

An MP has attacked the council’s road maintenance policy after a man won compensation having tripped in a pothole in 2007.

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone raised concerns a picture on Twitter showed a new pothole in Lightfoot Road.

This was the same street where Kyle Bullock, 38, had tripped, causing serious brain damage. He has since developed epilepsy and has moved back to Australia to continue rehabilitation with friends and family. 

Last week he won "significant" compensation from Homes for Haringey and Haringey Borough Council, who were found to be responsible for the road.

The Liberal Democrat MP said: “This is an absolute disgrace. A man was seriously injured and Haringey Council was forced to pay out £1million in compensation, yet it still leaves gaping potholes unaddressed in the same road.

“It is insulting to tell residents its maintenance programme will prevent accidents happening again, while the danger still remains.

“Haringey residents pay one of the highest council tax rates in London. The least we deserve in return is safe roads and pavements.

“In Haringey, we are unfortunately used to being let down by the Labour-run council. Local residents deserve better.”

After the ruling last week Haringey Council said it carries out twice-yearly inspections of all estate roads and footpaths, making repairs where necessary.

The authority said it spends 300,000 each year on maintenance to ensure this type of incident doesn’t happen again.

The pothole which appeared has since been filled in by Haringey council.