Pothole Damage on Military Base 2 March 2010 at 5:07AM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 8 replies 2.5K views

lemon26

Good morning all! On my way into work last night, whilst on the main road on station, I hit a large pothole and my car now has a rattling exhaust whilst stationary. I haven't been able to get under it to have a look but i suspect that something's not right. It wasn't there when I left for work and the car didn't go 'bang' apart from this pothole. I know, firsthand, that our local Defence Estates people are aware of the pothole problem around this Station and the one I hit wasn't marked in any way.

What scope is there for claiming from Stn insurance and who would I initially contact - DE? Also, has anyone had any experience of claiming for thsi sort of thing?

Thanks, L

martinbuckley

You'll need to get your exhaust looked at first, then contact your local DE Office with a detailed cost.

Most on-base speeding limits are 20mph. They may well drive a military car over the pothole concerned at 20mph just to see what the result to the exhaust was. If no damage occurs, they may defend their case by saying you must have been speeding.

lemon26

Hi Martin,

Thanks for your reply, the speed limit on station is 25mph, which is what I was doing. Do you know if the standards for highway upkeep would apply on a military base as I'm under the impression that it's classed as a private road. It's the main road through camp and lots of us have complained about it getting worse and worse through the winter we've had.

Thanks again, L

ICATQ

You might like to report it to the Station authorities, whoever occupies the Station, as they will have a Health and Safety Rep, they should be able to steer you in the right direction.

ldonald101

lemon26 wrote: »

Hi Martin,

Thanks for your reply, the speed limit on station is 25mph, which is what I was doing. Do you know if the standards for highway upkeep would apply on a military base as I'm under the impression that it's classed as a private road. It's the main road through camp and lots of us have complained about it getting worse and worse through the winter we've had.

Thanks again, L

It is defo not a private road. It still comes under the terms of the road traffic act, unlike private roads. If you can prove the hole caused the problem take them to the cleaners. Do a search on the net as there are templated letters out there for such incidents that you can use.

ady_j

ldonald101 wrote: »

It is defo not a private road. It still comes under the terms of the road traffic act,

I, like the poster quoted above, have no idea which camp you are talking about, however I do know that the vast majority of 'camp roads' I have know have been not covered by the RTA.

Best of luck with your attempt.

Marker_2

I was under the impression that all Military camps and Depos are private roads. If you have a car crash inside then its sort of tough luck. Not sure on pot holes, there must be some sort of health and safety Regs for the roads.

ICATQ

Marker wrote: »

I was under the impression that all Military camps and Depos are private roads. If you have a car crash inside then its sort of tough luck. Not sure on pot holes, there must be some sort of health and safety Regs for the roads.

They do not fall under the provisions of the Roaod Traffic Acts for the purposes of most things like RTC etc.

The 'owner' of the road is still responsible and has a duty of care.

Ivrytwr3

As above, it is a private road. You need to speak to Works Service type people. I know the grass cutters on station used to have a set amount set away for repairing stone chips etc on cars. They're might be something along those lines available to you.

But with not much money being available to the military, prepare for a fight probably.