Roadworks, Complaint

Arbiton

Earlier in the year I had reason to travel to the Tower Hamlets area of London. I have been to London on several occasions and I was following my sat nav. It was nine at night and dark. There were some road works on my left with a Keep Left sign that I followed. I was driving slowly, and could see a line of traffic cones on my right. Keeping to the left, while observing the cones, my two left hand tyres suddenly deflated. I got out the car to find out why and only by the light of my phone could I see that one of the traffic cones had been placed on top of a very rough kerbstone that was jutting out into the road. I have a witness with the AA agent that I had to call, and because it was now very late - it meant that I had to stay overnight in a local hotel to wait until I could get the repairs done in the morning.
The tyres on my car were only replaced four weeks previously - I still have the receipt. I had to pay out for a set of new tyres and the hotel costs. The council deny liability and refuse to reimburse me. I followed all the signs and did what any other driver would have done. Do I have the right to ask for reimbursement?

paddyandstumpy

You say you did what every other driver would have done - did every other driver also pop their tyres on this kerbstone?

Also - unless the AA man was present when you did this, he's not a witness. He came as a result of your call to the AA which was as a result of the damage you caused. When he got there you told him what you did. That doesn't make him a witness.

(Another) Also - if there was a cone on the kerbstone why did you drive over it?

Aylesbury_Duck

Arbiton wrote: »

Earlier in the year I had reason to travel to the Tower Hamlets area of London. I have been to London on several occasions and I was following my sat nav. It was nine at night and dark. There were some road works on my left with a Keep Left sign that I followed. I was driving slowly, and could see a line of traffic cones on my right. Keeping to the left, while observing the cones, my two left hand tyres suddenly deflated. I got out the car to find out why and only by the light of my phone could I see that one of the traffic cones had been placed on top of a very rough kerbstone that was jutting out into the road. I have a witness with the AA agent that I had to call, and because it was now very late - it meant that I had to stay overnight in a local hotel to wait until I could get the repairs done in the morning.
The tyres on my car were only replaced four weeks previously - I still have the receipt. I had to pay out for a set of new tyres and the hotel costs. The council deny liability and refuse to reimburse me. I followed all the signs and did what any other driver would have done. Do I have the right to ask for reimbursement?

Yes, you have the right to ask for reimbursement.

Retrogamer

Do you have any photographs of the cone, sitting on top of the rock that was encroaching onto the road?

Ectophile

You have the right to ask for anything you like - a unicorn, a mermaid or a magic lamp that will grant you three wishes. It doesn't mean that you will get it, though.

LABMAN

You could see the kerbstone by the light of a phone but not your headlights?

trinidadone

Hello Arbiton, a big welcome to Moneysavingexpert.com forums. I see from your first posting, that you have complained to Tower Hamlets council, and they have denied liability / turned down your complaint. If you have not already, have you thought about using the councils complaint s policy? am i correct, your complaining, one of the councils cones had deflated your two front tyres, which resulted in costings of staying in a hotel over night???

Norman_Castle

trinidadone wrote: »

am i correct, your complaining, one of the councils cones had deflated your cones, which resulted in costings of staying in a hotel over night???

Yes, thats right. One of the councils cones deflated the OPs cones.

worried_jim

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Yes, thats right. One of the councils cones deflated the OPs cones.

I've not had breakfast yet but now you've got me thinking about a lovely scone with jam. Day ruined.

forgotmyname

Replace the whole set of tyres? Did you turn around and reverse into the sharp stone to see if that really did the damage?

I would ask for a magic lamp with a genie, your first wish should be for some headlights and a better satnav.

Aylesbury_Duck

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Yes, thats right. One of the councils cones deflated the OPs cones.

Unlike worried jim, I am having my breakfast and almost spat it out when I read this! One of the truly classic posts I've seen on here. Well done Norman, brilliant response.