Pothole claims cost department thousands

Hundreds of successful compensation claims in recent years confirms minister

The Department of Infrastructure has received over 100 claims for compensation for damage caused by potholes in the last few years.

The infrastructure minister has given the figures in the House of Keys this morning (28 April) in response to a question from Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse.

Tim Crookall says: 'In the financial year 23-24 the department received a total of 33 claims for compensation for damage caused by potholes.

'In 24/25, it received 31 claims and in 25/26, a total of 48 claims were received.

'So far this financial year, the Department has received four claims.'

Cost to the department

Meanwhile, the total cost of these claims was £10,132.63 in 2023/24, £13,442.75 in 2024/25, and £6,467.78 in 25/26.

Mr Crookall says for a claim for compensation to be successful, the department would need to be made aware of a defect prior to any incident and have failed to take timely action to fix it.

He confirmed in 2023/24 the department admitted a liability for 52 percent of the claims, 65 percent in 24/25 and 81 percent in 25/26.

Otherwise, Mr Crookall said it's "left with insurers to deal with".

He added: "If at the end of that and the insurers say no and the person that's claiming is adamant that it's our responsibility, they then have to take it to court."

"Within hours"

Following a claim the minister was asked by Onchan MHK Rob Callister how quickly it would take the department to go out and repair the damage on that particular road.

Minister Crookall said: "We will certainly send an inspector out to check that and if it's worthy and has done damage to a vehicle we would do it within days.

"If not, within hours, I would presume."