POTHOLE damage claims cost taxpayers across Sussex almost £650,000 last year - with claims in the county among the costliest in the UK.

According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, both East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council were among the top ten local authorities who spent the most money on compensating motorists for injuries or damage caused by potholes.

Between April 2019 and March 2020 East Sussex County Council spent £329,311 on claims, putting it seventh in the list, while West Sussex County Council was eighth.

The local authority paid out £317,524 to settle compensation claims over the period.

The FOI, submitted by online car marketplace Heycar, found that councils across the country forked out more than £8 million of taxpayers’ funds in pothole payouts.

Despite filling 1.2 million potholes last year – at an average of more than 20,000 every week – there are still more than 100,000 recorded potholes in our roads at any one time.

Dan Powell, senior editor at heycar, said: “Potholes are such a familiar sight, and I’m sure everyone will have a top ‘worst road’ in their area that comes to mind when potholes are mentioned - but they’re much more than just an inconvenience.

“They’re causing real damage to people and their vehicles and the rate at which potholes are appearing is too fast for councils to keep up with.

"So even more claims will be coming, further reducing the funds available for road repairs.

“Driving should be a feelgood experience, especially after the restrictions of the past year.

"However, poorly maintained roads only lead to concern and frustration. The pothole crisis only appears to be getting worse, and more funds need to be allocated to help councils fill them quicker.”

The RAC has said it attends more than 1,000 breakdowns every month where cars have been forced off the road after hitting a pothole.

In March this year, a study from the Asphalt Industry Alliance estimated it would cost more than £10 billion to fill them all in.