MOTORISTS were paid almost £100,000 in compensation by the council and its insurers in 2017-18 following highway-related claims.

Following a Freedom of Information request, the council has revealed 15 payments totalling £99,063 were made following vehicle damage or injuries where the authority was found to be at fault.

However, despite being paid out in the 2017-18 financial year, each of the claims were submitted during earlier insurance policy years.

The 15 claims were made in policy years between 2012 and 2017.

The authority also confirmed that 10 payments of compensation totalling £32,230 were paid out for pothole-related claims in the 2017-18 financial year.

But each of the claims were made in policy years between 2012 to 2016.

A spokesman said: "In the financial year 2017-18, the council and its insurers made 15 payments of compensation totalling £99,063 for highways-related claims.

"The policy year runs from July to June and refers to the insurance policy against which the claim is submitted.

"Public liabilities policies work on a claims occurring basis, which means that the policy which responds is the one in force at the time when the incident giving rise to the claim occurred.

"No payments of compensation were made in the 2017-18 financial year against claims occurring during the 2017-18 policy year.

"Claims may be presented some years after the incident giving rise to the claim occurred.

"In the financial year 2017-18, the council and its insurers made 10 payments of compensation totalling £32,230 for pothole-related claims."

Insurance services for the council are managed by Salford City Council.

If a motorist believes they have been injured, or their property has been damaged, and that the council is at fault, they can make a claim for compensation.

However, the authority has warned motorists that they could be prosecuted for making a false claim for compensation.

A spokesman added: "Warrington Borough Council has a duty to safeguard public funds and will use the information you provide for the prevention and detection of fraud.

"A highways-related claim is one where a breach of Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 is alleged against the council in its capacity as the highway authority for Warrington.

"Briefly, Section 41 places a duty on highways authorities to maintain highways which are maintainable at public expense.

"In some cases, a pothole in the carriageway or footway is alleged to be the cause of the incident which gives rise to the claim."