Tyre punctured at the council tip - advice please?

SwindonGirl

Hi, wonder if anyone can give me an idea of what i should do.

Went to the local "Household Waste Recycling Centre" (formerly known as the tip) last night, after dark. (my username should indicate which one)

Short version: shortly after we pulled away there was a knocking noise, so we pulled into the nearest well lit place, a petrol station, only to discover the near side rear tyre was almost flat.

Changed the tyre (luckily my partner was there as i am 6 months pregnant. Whilst i am capable of changing a tyre it would have been a cold dark struggle for me) On removal we discovered a big lump of metal sticking out of it (the bit we can see is about 2 inches long and well and truly embedded)

Due to the speed the tyre deflated it could have only happened at the tip (we barely made it 200 yds down the road from the tip to the garage)

Can i claim the money of repair/replacement back from the council as it would not have happened if i didn't go to the tip, which is presumably private council land. I think they were negligent in keeping the area clear of such debris (Also should i get it done then claim it back or wait for them to pay? It's another week til payday so can't happen til then anyway)

It will be a massive inconvenience for me as I can't use it for work this week - the space saver is distance and speed limited and i travel on dual carriageways to work - i would be taking my life in my hands to do under 50mph on those roads!

Your thoughts and help gratefully welcomed

lucylucky

It could have happened just as you left the tip.

Unlikely but the onus will be on you to prove the council negligent.

No harm in trying to pursue the issue with the council.

Can you not get it fixed today while you investigate the possibility of a claim?

iltisman

Sadly I think you are out of luck with this one ,if it had been a big pot hole that you could have photographed with a ruler in it to show its depth you may have claimed for a new tyre.
The bit of metal was probably dropped by a lazy "customer" of the tip so it would hardly be the councils fault.

Hammyman

Get tyre replaced, move on.

Unless you seriously expect them to have people out permanently sweeping up, its not lack of due care. If its so big, one wonders why you didn't spot it and avoid it. Perhaps due to your own lack of attention?

Gene_Hunt_2

Why can't you use the car for work?

Weren't the Swindon tyres centres open this morning?

skiddlydiddly

OP said its a week until payday so maybe not an option to buy it this week.

vikingaero

There are two possibilities: (1) it could have happened at the tip and (2) she could have run over it after leaving the tip. Proving (1) is going to be nearly impossible.

That's the problem with tips and why I only drive our cheapest car there.

dori2o

Where abouts on the tyre has the bit of metal entered the tyre?

If it's anywhere but near the edge then take it to a tyre fitters and have them repair it.

I had a nail in my tyre last week, The tyre subsequently had a slow puncture. The nail was almost in the centre of the tread. 20 minutes later and £7.50 less in my pocket, the tyre was back on the car, fully repaired.

As has been said, it will be almost impossible to claim from the council unless you have absolute proof they have been neglegent.

forgotmyname

Goods vehicles use the same roads and are limited to 50mph so sit behind one of those and have a quiet relaxing
journey which may take a few seconds longer.

Get a proper full sized spare, I swapped the spare on my car to newer one because it had a spacesaver. Advantage
to buying the same model.

They are safe to use, I see loads of them doing 80+ on the motorways. Idiots though. Drive carefully with care 50mph max
and slow down a bit more for corners as it may not grip as well as the original tyres.

WhiteHorse

I've also had a puncture at a council tip. Although it might be determined that the council was negligent, the chances of a successful claim are vanishingly small.

Quite frankly, it's one of those situations where it really isn't worth the effort.

paddedjohn

skiddlydiddly wrote: »

OP said its a week until payday so maybe not an option to buy it this week.

a puncture repair is only about £10