No win, no fee claims news
30/07/2008
Worries over Fleet Street walkways surface
There have been calls for Fleet Street, Torquay, to be completely replaced after claims that it has become an accident hotbed and a major no win, no fee claims hazard.
The pedestrian priority road, despite being popular with many residents, has become a potential no win, no fee claim bugbear to the council in recent years, with reports of a large number of falls and personal injuries happening because of defects on its surface.
A letter sent by the personal injury solicitors of one accident compensation claimant details some of the wear and tear concerns expressed by residents. It says, "You will appreciate such damage can occur over a short period of time.
"While the district highway inspectors' routine inspections are carried out on the highest frequency taking into account the high level of pedestrian usage in Fleet Street, you will appreciate that can occur in the intervening periods between inspections."
Calls for the area to be completely resurfaced have reached fever pitch after it emerged that the council has received 56 complaints about the area in the past 24 months.
The councils highways councillor responded by commenting, "All of these reports have been investigated and the required action taken. In that same period we have received seven reports of personal injury."
Adding, "Roads, pavements, footpaths and pedestrian zones are subject to wear and tear, particularly an area such as the main high street that is used by so many, but we do our very best to maintain a high standard.
"Fleet Street is nearly 20 years old and it is normal that the number of repairs required increases with time, but we maintain the same safety standards throughout.
"The area in question was in fact repaired as soon as we were made aware of the incident.On a further inspection a few days ago we have identified and repaired another part of the road in the same area."
He did not detail how many no win, on fee claims for personal injury compensation had arisen as a result of defects in the area.
