Ealing (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A freedom of information (FOI) request reveals Ealing Council paid £241,000+ in 5 years for pedestrian injury claims, including compensation for poor pavements.
Pedestrians tripping on uneven pavement or encountering that the council has not addressed are among the accusations. This raises questions about how maintenance procedures work and how much emphasis is placed on pedestrian safety.
What are the key details of pedestrian injury claims?
Since 2020, uneven pavements and walkways have been the most frequently reported cause of pedestrian accident claims. There were 98 claims for pedestrian accidents, followed by 44 trips and falls, 12 claims for manhole/drain accidents, 5 for road faults, and 2 for step issues.
According to Accident Claims Advice’s FOI request, £241,146 was paid out, comprising 25 claims in 2020 that cost £90,986, 35 claims in 2021 that cost £89,000, and 52 claims in 2022 that cost £61,160. In 2023 and 2024, no payments were made.
JF Law solicitor Lucy Parker said:
“Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries, such as sprains, head trauma, and even broken bones, which means it’s essential that highways and footpaths are properly maintained.”
Ms Parker added:
“These accidents are often caused by preventable factors, such as poorly maintained roads and pavements or inadequate signage and lighting. It is vital that councils are held accountable for their negligence in these cases. Victims of these accidents may face extensive medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and loss of income.”
According to a related investigation, Ealing Council demonstrated the enduring nature of these problems by granting £150,000 in personal injury compensation for 44 claims in a single year.
How is Ealing Council addressing pedestrian safety and pavement conditions?
According to the Ealing Council, they will step up efforts to repair pavement conditions and strengthen pedestrian safety measures in response to these allegations. This includes funding for maintenance initiatives and infrastructure improvements meant to lower the probability of mishaps.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said:
“The cost of claims paid out by the council for pedestrian accidents has significantly reduced year on year from 2020-2024, resulting in £0 payouts in 2023 and 2024. The safety of residents and visitors to our borough is our top priority and we always investigate the reason behind a claim, to minimise the risk of it happening again.”
They added:
“We also continually invest in our roads and pavements. All council-maintained roads and pavements in Ealing are regularly inspected – major roads monthly and residential roads either every three or six months.
Defects such as potholes or uneven pavements are noted during these inspections, and fixing them is prioritised in line with the level of danger.
An independent highway inspector also carries out a full condition survey of all council-maintained pavements and roads every year.
If residents or visitors to Ealing borough notice anything wrong with the pavements or roads, they can report it via the Love Clean Streets app.”