Thomas Bridge 08 April 2015

County settles with widow of cyclist killed by pothole

A council has stood by its road inspection programme after paying out a six-figure settlement to the widow of a cyclist killed after colliding with a pothole.

Martyn Uzzell from North Somerset was thrown into the path of an oncoming vehicle when his bicycle hit the unfilled pothole in June 2011.

An inquest heard North Yorkshire County Council had failed to act on recommendations to fill the road fault, with a coroner ruling there was ‘no doubt whatsoever that the condition of the road on that occasion was the cause of the accident’.

Mrs Uzzell has now settled her claim against North Yorkshire for what is understood to be a six-figure sum after launching civil action against the town hall.

A spokesperson from North Yorkshire said today: ‘Whilst North Yorkshire County Council accepts no liability for the tragic death of Mr Uzzell, the authority has appreciated that this is a sensitive matter and has therefore reached a settlement with Mr Uzzell’s widow, to avoid prolonged involvement in further litigation.

‘The county council operates a highways maintenance programme that includes a robust system of inspection.

‘We continue to maintain and review that inspection regime to ensure the safety of routes for the travelling public.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Network Management Compliance Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting Salary from £42,192 based on Skills Kn
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Lead for Partnership Delivery

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Lead for Partnership DeliverySecondment, Full Time£44,198 to £51,998 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - West Essex

Essex County Council
£36101.0000 - £48622.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
This position is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW). The starting salary for a NQSW is £33,885 per annum, rising to £36,10 England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Chief Executive

Barnet London Borough Council
£206,492 – £218,002
Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Barnet (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Barnet London Borough Council

Apprentice Customer Services Assistant

Essex County Council
Up to £12348.0000 per annum
About Us
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.