The Governance Board for local councils has issued a list of directives to guide the councils whenever claims for damages are made by motorists because of the condition of the roads.

The board said that whenever claims are made, a representative of the council should go on site to see the condition of the road and whether it falls undner the council’s responsibility.

Complainants should submit their request for compensation in writing, enclosing a site plan, pictures of the road and the damage to the vehicle, a copy of the report to the police and a fiscal receipt of payments made for the damages.

The council, once it has been given the documentation, should establish the condition of the road and if the request is justified, pay the damages requested.

Councils should ensure that they are insured against such requests for damages.

The board said the decision over whether or not to pay compensation should be taken within a month of the documentation being received by the councils.

When a case is unclear, the council should inform the complainant once he may consider taking the case to court. However the board is of the view that cases should be decided quickly without involving the courts.