Five drivers win compensation from council

SHETLAND Islands Council paid out nearly £1,300 in compensation in the last financial year for damage caused on the isles’ roads.

Figures released by the RAC Foundation showed that a total of 12 claims were lodged by disgruntled drivers in Shetland, with only five of them proving successful.

However, the 45 per cent success rate – which cost the council £1,297 – was the fifth highest of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

An SIC spokesperson said the five claims were for a “variety of reasons, including stone chip damage and tar marks”.

They added that none of the pay-outs were for damage caused by potholes.

In 2014/15, the SIC didn’t have to pay out a penny after one single insurance claim proved unsuccessful.

In the year before, however, the council paid out £1,684 after six claims were successful.

In August, figures in an Audit Scotland report revealed that Shetland’s percentage of roads in need of maintenance was one of the highest in Scotland.

SIC roads manager Dave Coupe said the figures were skewed negatively because much of Shetland’s roads were single-track access roads and were regarded as of poorer quality.