Car repair legacy of ‘Pothole Pass’
Bryan Courtenay-Bishop pictured by a stretch of road in Payhembury which has been dubbed Pothole Pass by residents. - Credit: Archant
A driver who claims to be a victim of Payhembury’s ‘Pothole Pass’ says he is being given a bumpy ride after having to foot the bill for repairs to his damaged car.
One of the potholes in Payhembury that had been causing trouble for residents in the village, which has since been filled. - Credit: Archant
Bryan Courtenay-Bishop, who has lived in the village for 25 years, was last week informed that his claim for compensation from Devon County Council had been denied.
The 66-year-old told the Midweek Herald that his car was damaged in March to the tune of £700 after driving over a pothole along a stretch of road in the village which has been dubbed ‘Pothole Pass’ by locals, who put up their own sign to warn motorists.
His front wheelrim and suspension were damaged.
“I have been let down big time by the council,” says the 66-year-old. “It means I have got to cut back and it has eaten into my savings. I feel somebody has to pick up the pieces.”
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He said his car has had to have further repair work carried out and that the costs are “creeping up to £1,000”.
“That is two months’ pension - I can’t afford it,” says the pensioner. “We need our cars in this area.”
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Mr Courtenay-Bishop previously contacted the Herald to highlight the pothole plight in the village and called for the problems to be sorted out.
He said the potholes, which have now been dealt with, had been a problem for nine months and damaged a number of cars during that time.
“We have had to put up with it,” he added. “Many people have damaged their cars there.
“People drive down there and don’t realise they are damaging their cars.
“I want recompense for the damage to my car. My car was damaged and it was not down to me. I did not have an accident.”
The pensioner feels many other drivers who have damaged their vehicles from driving over potholes are put off by the claims process and don’t know how to go about making a claim.
He said: “Nobody knows how to go about making a claim. I just feel I shouldn’t have to do this.”
Mr Courtenay-Bishop says he has learnt a lot from going through the process, which has taken up a lot of his time. A Devon County Council spokesman said: “We are unable to comment on individual claims.”