£2m wasted on slips, trips and falls

10.35.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Oct 2008

Conservative-run Hertfordshire County Council have paid out over £2m in the last five years on compensation payments to people who have been hurt on Hertfordshire's roads and pavements.

In figures released to the Liberal Democrats on the County Council it has been revealed that there were over 6600 claims made in the five year

period. Only 1551 were deemed suitable for compensation totalling over £2m.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst (Lib Dem, Central Watford and Oxhey) the Liberal Democrats Highways spokesperson at county hall on seeing the figures said: 'The state of our roads and pavements is a disgrace. This is clearly shown by the numbers applying for compensation. What is needed in Hertfordshire is sensible investment and a review of how we fix our roads and pavements.'

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst continued: 'The county council has a responsibility for people's well being but seems to have forgotten that this

extends to our safety while going about normal business. I welcome any extra investment in this area that until recently had been neglected by the Tory administration.'