Cyclist wins payout from firm over pothole tumble

Peter Lodge, 52, a consulting engineer from Hebden Bridge, Heptonstall, was returning from a cycle ride to Littleborough and as he approached Hebden Bridge, the front wheel of his bike went down a pothole, causing him to be thrown off.

The pothole surrounded a Yorkshire Water valve cover. Mr Lodge suffered several cuts and abrasions.

Mr Lodge took action using free legal advice from CTC, the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation.

He is now calling for more diligence from the authorities, particularly with regards to potholes which cause a significant proportion of cyclists’ injuries.

He said: “I hate to think what might have happened if I had been thrown off my bike just an hour earlier during the rush-hour.

“That’s why it’s so important that people report potholes in the road as soon as they see them – something which can easily be done on the CTC website www.fillthathole.org.uk.”

Sara Heppenstall, the solicitor at Russell Jones & Walker representing Mr Lodge said: “Potholes present a serious risk for all road-users, causing damage to cars and injury to cyclists.”

A Yorkshire Water spokeswoman said: “We were sorry to hear about Mr Lodge’s accident and would like to reassure customers that the pothole in the road caused by a sunken valve cover was repaired back in October 2008, shortly after the incident happened.”