There's a big difference between the Highways Agency and the contractors who are now running some of our motorways, the contractors are out to get the most they can without any regards to actual cost involved.

If something costs £50 to repair they will bill you for £100 and know full well they will get it, another chance to rip of the cash cow motorist.

HondaMan

You say it was part of your job to pursue the motorist, was this for the purpose of getting them to pay direct, or to provide details of their insurers? You don't make it clear - your post reads as though you were reclaiming directly from the motorist.

alan14

Thank you for that information. It must get complicated when there's a multiple pile-up.

your post reads as though you were reclaiming directly from the motorist.

Indeed we did. We took the view that it was a matter between us, the council and the motorist. If he brought his insurer into the equation, that was fine, but the initial contact was always with the motorist who if he did not respond within 21 days, found a county court summons on his doormat. If his insurer then failed to pay in time, we would proceed to a hearing. We NEVER approached the insurer. It was up to them to contact us in their client's interests

I can see the Highways depts point about charging the morist for repairs but I can also see the motorists/insurers point about these charges being excessive on occasion,£300 to clean up a non-existent oil spill is mentioned & also a comment from a road repairman saying the materials used would only equate to £12.50(ignoring the obvious wages for the repair team,etc)to clean a genuine spill.