Hundreds of motorists were left out of pocket after Essex County Council rejected 98.5% of all pothole damage claims between December and the end of May this year.

Drivers made 669 claims for pothole damage to vehicles but the council only paid out for ten of them.

Leader of the County Labour Group, councillor Julie Young, said: “This is the biggest area of concern for Essex residents and the biggest issue in my postbag.

“Motorists are facing costly repairs and worse still cyclists and pedestrians are suffering physical injuries.”

The claims took an average of 50 days to resolve and cost the council £4,000 in total, with 853 cases yet to be decided.

See this week's Times for the full story.