Estimate for Compensation Claims Against Haringey Council is £1.7m

9.53.00am GMT Mon 21st Aug 2006

Councillor Wayne Hoban, Deputy Leader of Haringey Lib Dem group

Haringey's Labour councillors are coming under fire due to the Council's poor record on investment in the borough's roads and footpaths, as it emerged that the estimate for outstanding claims for compensation for injuries due to poor road maintenance is a staggering £1.7 million.

A report submitted to a meeting of the Council's lead members confirmed that underinvestment in the borough's roads and footpaths was a crucial factor. Labour members are being criticised for the level of neglect.

Cllr Hoban comments: "The report states that £300,000 has been paid out in compensation for injuries suffered through poor maintenance over recent years. Worse still, the estimate for outstanding claims is an incredible £1.7 million. This money would have been far better spent on ensuring that Haringey's footpaths and roads are properly maintained so that accidents do not happen in the first place."

Cllr Martin Newton, Lib Dem Spokesperson for the Environment comments: "It is incredible and completely unacceptable that Haringey Labour has historically chosen to spend so little on footpath and road maintenance. This is yet another example of their poor record on funding regular and effective maintenance programmes, which is ultimately costly to Haringey ratepayers."