My car encountered a pothole, causing significant damage to two tires. To rectify the situation, I spent £197 on replacements and submitted the receipt to the Reading borough council. While the council admitted their responsibility for the incident, they deduct 30% from my claim due to wear and tear. Despite the fact that the affected tires were relatively new and in good condition, the council refuses to reimburse the full cost since I don’t have receipts from the purchase. I have argued that I should not be the one bearing the financial burden caused by their negligence, but my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. PJ, Reading
Drivers across the country are facing similar frustrations with the issue of potholes. Council insurance policies typically do not cover the concept of “betterment,” which means they do not provide compensation for replacing old items with new ones. Therefore, unless you can provide receipts indicating recent purchases of the damaged tires, the council will deduct a sum from your claim. Personally, I find a 30% deduction to be arbitrary and unreasonable. The condition of the tires is determined more by mileage and driving conditions than by their age.
Gary Rycroft, a consumer lawyer at Joseph A Jones solicitors, explains that a victim of council negligence should be fully compensated and restored to their pre-incident position. He argues that the inability to produce a receipt should not be an issue if the damaged tires can be examined for wear and tear. While he recognizes the need for the concept of betterment, he deems it unfair to apply it in an arbitrary manner.
Reading council declined to comment on individual cases but stated that their approach aligns with that of most public authorities. Although it may now be too late to photograph the tread on the damaged tires, it is important for other drivers to keep receipts for repairs and replacements.
And when kindness is on a driver’s delivery list
Recently, my Waitrose order arrived late. The delivery driver explained that he had come across an injured dog by the road and had taken the time to help. He located a nearby house, whose owner promised to take the dog to a vet. As he described the dog, I realized it belonged to a friend of mine. Through the driver, I was able to get in touch with my friend and reunite her with her whippet. This young man went above and beyond to do the right thing. I wondered if the driver would have made the same choice if Waitrose had strict and inflexible policies like other delivery companies.FS, Exeter
Your story is reminiscent of a previous article where a Waitrose employee gave complimentary flowers to an elderly customer who had fallen. These anecdotes highlight the crucial role that delivery drivers, much like postal workers, play in preserving community well-being. Unfortunately, some inexpensive courier services place excessive pressure on their drivers, leaving them with no time for even basic necessities like restroom breaks, let alone attending to animal welfare.
Waitrose aims to identify the driver you mentioned so they can properly acknowledge and appreciate him. The company acknowledges that their drivers actively seek ways to make customers feel valued, and they allocate extra time for each delivery to accommodate this.
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