Council spends £131,000 on fall compensation

Pembrokeshire County Council has paid out more than £130,000 in compensation in the past five years to people who have tripped or fallen on council roads and paths.

Figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives show that local authorities in Wales have paid out a total of £6.6 million for falls and accidents on council maintained footpaths and roads.

“If a council has been negligent in maintaining roads or paths and that causes accidents then of course people should be compensated,” said Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

“But this is a lot of money that could be much better spent on providing frontline services.

“The county council faces a tough couple of years and it is alarming to think that it has to set aside such an amount for possible claims.”

Between 2005 and 2009 the council paid out a total of £131,213 in compensation.

Mr Davies added: “Councils across Wales have just had their budget for Transport Grant Schemes reduced so they have less money to repair roads and footpaths.

“We could see an increase in claims just when councils can least afford them.”

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