4:35pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Edmund Tobin
A WOMAN motorist is fighting for compensation from the county council after she hit a pothole so deep it broke the wheel of her van.
Sue Cord, 53, of Ongar Road, Abridge was driving her Renault Kangoo down nearby Epping Lane, when she hit the hole, which she claims is one of nearly 50 along that stretch.
She said: “I was taking my dog to the vets when I saw this massive hole. I thought I could avoid it by going on to the verge, but I mistimed it and fell right in.
“I thought the suspension had gone on the van. I looked and the wheel was completely flat. You couldn't drive it or take it anywhere. My husband had to come out to pick me up and take me back and we had to get someone to pick up the van. I had to cancel my appointment at the vets.”
Mrs Cord has since found out the jolt from the pothole broke the ball joint off her van, and is still waiting to see how much the repairs will be.
She has obtained a claims form from Essex County Council and intends to send them the bill.
She said: “It's the nuisance more than anything else. All along that stretch I counted 50 pot holes. It's just appalling. Everyone you speak to says there's potholes everywhere. I know we've had some weird and wonderful weather conditions, but you pay taxes and you expect a bit better than this.
“When you have roadworks you get warning signs. Maybe they could go round putting up warning signs for potholes. Then again they'd have to put them almost everywhere round here.”
A spokesman for the county council said: “Essex County Council will investigate the condition of this road and arrange for any necessary repairs to be carried out.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/trade_directory/