Our local council in Tower Hamlets has spent £7052.75 compensating motorists for damage caused by potholes since 2012, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have revealed.

Nationally a total of £12 million have been paid out over the last four years, with an average payment per person of £650.

The figures were uncovered by Freedom of Information requests to 500 councils by the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson Elaine Bagshaw said:

"This is a lose-lose situation for everyone, whether they are motorists, councils or taxpayers.

“People already have to fork out so much to drive a car, the least they should expect is that their vehicle doesn't get ruined by a bumpy road.

“Thousands of pounds are now being spent on pay-outs that could have been invested instead in fixing our roads.

"This is a symptom of the short-termist approach being taken to infrastructure investment.

"Roads should be fixed quickly so this compensation does not have to be paid out in the first place.”