THE HARSH winter has seen the number of people claiming for damage caused to their vehicles by potholes more than double.

Among roads that were the subject of claims included Great Western Way, Thamesdown Drive and the B4005 between Chiseldon and Wroughton.

Swindon Council received 54 claims in 2009/10 compared to 21 claims in 2008/09.

The council only paid out on 10 claims in 2009/10 at a total cost of £1,084.54.

The roads where claims were paid were Thamesdown Drive, the roundabout on Great Western Way near B&Q, the B4005 from Chiseldon to Wroughton and the A346 Chiseldon.

There were six claims alone related to the B4005 from Chiseldon to Wroughton in 2009/10.

The previous year it paid out on four claims at a cost of £659.48.

The roads where claims were paid were Coleshill Road, Thames-down Drive, the Castle Eaton to Hannington road and Cricklade Road.

The freezing winter weather took its toll on Swindon’s roads, leaving many in a poor state.

Potholes can be a major factor in causing axle and suspension failure but can also cause damage to tyres and wheels as well as steering. There is also a risk that drivers could crash while trying to avoid potholes.

The jump in the number of claims has also been put down to people becoming much more aware of how to claim for pothole damage to their vehicles.

On one website – www. pot holes.co.uk – people are given step-by-step instructions on how to make a successful claim for damage and are guided around all the legal loopholes.

They are advised to make a Freedom of Information request to the council to check the road in question has been adequately maintained.

Last month a couple in Rodbourne said their home in Redcliffe Street shook whenever a large vehicle hit potholes in the street outside.

They worried that the constant vibration could be damaging the structure of their house.

The potholes, which were 5cm deep in some places, appeared two years ago but got worse after the winter.

The council repaired the holes a few times but they soon broke up.

The road eventually had ‘major patchwork’ carried out by the council last month.

Swindon Council has an online form people can fill in if they think they have a valid claim at www.swindon.gov.uk/yourcouncil/public-insurance/public- insurance-motorvehicle.

A spokesman for Swindon Council said: “We’ve had more claims this year because the winter was much harsher than normal, and the number of potholes was much greater.

“That said, the percentage of payouts we’ve made against the claims made has stayed about the same.

“We pay out around 25 to 30 per cent of pothole damage claims, and each one is subject to a very thorough investigation.

“A claim will only be successful if it can be shown we were aware of the pothole and hadn’t repaired it within a reasonable time.”