MORE ROAD CLAIMS - LIB DEMS TO BLAME

Somerset's claims for damage to vehicles on its poor roads are up fifty per cent in three years.

Somerset County Council is receiving more claims from motorists than ever. Shock figures recently released show that the number of claims against the council has jumped by over fifty per cent in the last three years. These are claims from individual motorists who have had their cars damaged as a result of the poor state of local roads.

The figures have jumped from under 300 claims in 2005 to over 450 claims in 2008. The cost to the beleaguered Lib Dem run council was about £1,500 a week in 2006.

Ken Maddock, Leader of the Conservative group said, "This is proof of what people have been telling us for ages. Our roads are falling to bits. And it is hitting our motorists hard. The cost in money is bad enough. But the distress and aggravation caused to Somerset people is disgraceful.''

He went on, "The Liberal Democrats cut the pothole budget again last month. The number of claims can only get worse. But when it comes to spending over £4 million on publicity - no problem. Their priorities are all wrong.''

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