Newport City Council has paid out more than £15,000 in the last two years to drivers over the state of its roads. The council paid the out compensation to residents who claimed over damage from potholes and other road issues.
Figures obtained following a freedom of information request showed the amount paid out to residents jumped hugely between 2021 and 2023. In 2021-22 the council paid out £3,094.55 but this jumped to £12,025.94 a year later in 2022/23 – an increase of £8,931.39.
It comes after the council warned last year of reduced public services due to a huge budget gap. At the time council leader Jane Mudd said soaring energy costs, higher demand for care services, and more children in schools meant it was "unlikely that any service will be delivered as they are currently". It later approved new measures in April including an 8.5% council tax increase and a move to three-weekly bin collections.
