Motor Vehicles: Repairs and Maintenance
Lords · Question HL14656 · Tabled 23 Feb 2026 · Department for Transport · Official record
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Question
Asked by Lord Birt
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that local authorities pay compensation to motorists whose vehicles are damaged by potholes.
Answer
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, 2 Mar 2026
Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 places a statutory duty on highway authorities to maintain public highways. Dealing with compensation claims due to defects such as potholes on the highway network is entirely the responsibility of the relevant highway ...