Council's 'Shocking Incompetence' over Tree Damaged Car

2.50.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Aug 2004

A resident's car was badly damaged six months ago (31st January) by a tree falling on it while it was on the street. The tree has long since been removed and replaced. But the council has refused to take action and to authorise compensation for the owner. The car sits waiting to be repaired despite numerous letters to the council, three letters from MP Vincent Cable and a reference to the local government ombudsman.

Vincent Cable said: "this is sheer, incompetence by the council causing massive inconvenience for a local resident. Accidents do happen and if this had been a collision between two cars the insurers would have long since paid out, the cars would have been repaired and would be back on the road. But the council's philosophy is to delay, delay, delay: endlessly playing for time even though its obligations are quite clear. Far more local taxpayers money has already been wasted in paying for officials, lawyers' and insurers' time than is involved in repairing the car and there will be an ombudsman's enquiry. Someone's head should role for this."