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Damaged roads lead to claims on car insurance

05 Feb 2010

Posted by Jonathan Walker

Drivers across the country risk having to claim on their car insurance as local authorities struggle to get the nation's roads in shape.

Due to the recent cold snap, numerous stretches of road are now covered in potholes, spelling bad news for motorists.

Drivers in Derbyshire have been warned that certain parts of the A52 are "not fit for purpose", with the head of the county's highways advising people to stick to a speed limit of just 40mph rather than the regular 70mph.

Speaking to the BBC, John Hansed revealed that the cold weather had done major damage to the surface of the road, which was laid ten years ago.

"It is not fit for purpose at the moment," he said, adding: "We do have a programme to repair it - but not immediately.”

Earlier this month, motorists in neighbouring Nottinghamshire welcomed plans to offer speed awareness courses to motorists caught going over the limit, rather than hand them a fine and cause their car insurance premiums to rise.