A MAN has been left frustrated after claiming a pothole caused £500 worth of damage to his car. 

Alexander Caddy, 32, from Moordown, contacted Hampshire County Council but the local authority reportedly 'denied liability' for the damage caused by a pothole on the sliproad onto the A338 from the B3078 near Fordingbridge. 

Despite occurring in February, Alex said it has taken six weeks of communication to receive any information on the matter which the council has now passed over to Milestone which holds a highways term contract with the council.

Alex said: "I was going to meet a couple of friends at the pub and as you were joining the main road, I was looking over my shoulder to check traffic and as I turned back, it was too late to swerve.

"It was about four to six inches deep with a very sheer edge so it was a hefty impact. About two minutes later, the tyre pressure warning light came on and you could hear the flapping of the tyre.

"It's just a gut-wrenching moment and you're a little shaken but the insult to injury was the council response which has been appalling."

Alex has had to pay for two new tyres on the front and still has two curved wheels on the left-hand side from the incident yet to be repaired saying he can't afford it.

The cost was made worse by wheel nuts locked onto the wheel which meant it had to be towed from away to be replaced. 

He said he has been offered £90 in compensation by Milestone.

He said: "It's your responsibility to maintain your highways regardless of the contract you may outsource. It should be your responsibility for quality control and checking roads in dangerous locations."

In an email to Alex seen by the Daily Echo, Hampshire County Council said: "Hampshire County Council are entitled to rely upon the indemnity in the Highways Term Contract with our contractors Milestone to pass claims to them when the circumstances allow.

"This is the case with your claim. Hampshire County Council are relying upon the indemnity and as such your claim has been passed to Milestone."

"For the avoidance of doubt, Hampshire County Council deny liability in your claim and rely upon this indemnity."

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said:

“Hampshire County Council cannot discuss individual claims, however we investigate all highway claims that we receive to establish if the County Council or a third party is in any way at fault."