Dozens of Aberdeen residents have submitted claims against the city council for tripping on pavements over the past year – but no compensation has been paid out.
New freedom of information statistics show that a total of 46 claims were submitted in the 12 months up to May 31, but none were successful.
The data, compiled by the AA, also shows that 12 claims were submitted to Aberdeenshire council and a total of £3,238 paid out – although it is unknown how many claims this covers.
In Moray, two claims were put forward but just one was successful with the council handed over £5,000 in compensation.
There was no data available for the Highland council. Shetland and Orkney also refused to pay any compensation.
The period included the notorious weather spell in December when much of the north-east’s streets were so treacherous many residents found them impassable following heavy snowfall.
A council source said that even if claims were paid out they were covered by insurance companies at no cost to the taxpayer.
Proposed new legislation is also working its way through the Scottish Parliament which would ban the likes of parking on pavements which could potentially reduce the number of claims further.
Aberdeen shopkeeper Mark Esslemont said that many of the pavements outside his shop in the city’s Thistle Street were cracked due to the number of vehicles mounting pavements.
He said: “Some of the vans don’t stay long but even just driving up onto the pavement and off again is causing damage.
“I wouldn’t say it is something the customers complain about daily but there have been some comments.
“It’s not just outside our shop, the Thistle Street and Rose Street area has quite a lot of damage.”
Edmund King, AA president, said: “The government and local authorities repeatedly encourage drivers to leave their cars at home and take to their feet or to two wheels for short journeys.
“But the state of the pavements means walkers are expected to run the gauntlet of pavement hazards.”
A Moray council spokesman said: “There is no impact on the public purse as all claims will have been dealt with by our insurers, who would vigorously defend any claim against the council. However, as is clear in this one example, they settle a genuine claim.”
