Welsh local authorities have spent nearly £14 million on compensation claims following personal injury on roads or pavements over the last four financial years.
£11.7 million has been paid out across the country to 8441 claimants. The cost of administering the claims stands at £2.1 million.
Specific examples include Swansea, where the Council paid out over £2 million to 449 claimants between 2006/07 and 2009/10. The cost of admin related to the claims was £104,000.
In Carmarthenshire, £505,000 was paid to 207 claimants during the same time frame. £310,000 was spent on 286 cases in Flintshire.
The figures have been uncovered by Shadow Minister for Local Government Jonathan Morgan, who questioned the Labour-Plaid government during plenary on Wednesday.
Mr Morgan said: “This situation is clearly absurd and priorities regarding our highways are completely distorted.
“Not enough money is being invested in this area – that’s very obvious. Consequently, countless numbers of people are injuring themselves on our roads and pavements. While that in itself is unacceptable, it also means huge amounts of money have to be paid out eventually anyway.
“In Cardiff, there is a multi-million pounds shortfall in highways funding. The city’s roads are being completely neglected and the resulting £1.5 million in recent compensation payments is no surprise at all.
“While finances remain tight, priorities clearly need to be reassessed. I urge the Labour-Plaid government to work with local authorities to look closely at this issue and consider the early identification and maintenance of our highways.
“We are now well into another cold snap and there are still damaged roads and pavements all over Wales. This will continue to be dangerous and costly unless more action is taken as soon as possible.”
