ALLEN JENKINSON has issued his local council with a £950 repair bill after claiming that his motorcycle was damaged by a pothole.
Jenkinson 58, came off his GSX-R not far from his home on Lipscomb Street in Milnsbridge last October. He claims that the bike's wheels locked as he braked after skidding on some loose chippings and he has now applied for compensation from the council.
Speaking to the Huddersfield Examiner, Jenkinson said: “I was brought off
the bike by a pothole, the implications of which are far more far-reaching than
the £950 worth of repairs required as a result.
“Fortunately mine was a slow speed incident and I was uninjured, but
injuries sustained in a fall from any motorcycle can range from fatal to paralysing
spinal or career-ending arm or leg injuries, all of which is considered
perfectly acceptable and not in breach of Kirklees highways department's health
and safety responsibilities towards me or any other motorcyclist or two-wheeled
rider.
“Surely this cannot be right.”
But the council are fighting back, saying that the road was in acceptable
condition when last inspected. A council spokesman said: “When potholes are
reported to us they are acted on. That is in addition to the regular inspection
of all roads.
“A pothole can be dangerous at the time an incident takes place, but if it
was not dangerous at the time of the last statutory inspection and the council
has not yet been made aware of the danger then there is no legal
responsibility on the part of the council for damage or injury.”
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