Middlesbrough Council pays out for pavement injuries

Over a four year period, between 2022/23 and 2025/26, more than £860,000 was paid out in compensation for accidents on footpaths in the town, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Independent Councillor Joan McTigue said she doubts it would have cost as much to “repair all the [footpath] damage in the first place”.

When accidents do happen, resulting payments are made through the council’s insurers.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said the safety of footpaths and pavements is a “key priority” for the council.

He added: “We have an ongoing programme of repairs and maintenance. Regular inspections are undertaken, and we also rely on the public to report issues to us where they arise so they can be dealt with quickly and effectively.

“While public safety is of paramount importance, where possible more extensive preventative work will also be carried out.”

The total figure over the course of four financial years amounted to £866,584, although it is unclear if this sum includes compensation for injuries that occur on damaged grass verges, which border many of the town’s pavements in residential areas.