Thousands paid out over stumbles
People who trip over pavements are receiving thousands of pounds in compensation from "cynical" local councils, it has been claimed.
Over the last five years, English county councils and local authorities have paid out more than £82 million, according to statistics uncovered using the Freedom of Information Act by the Liberal Democrats .
The party's transport spokesman Norman Baker MP said: "With council and household budgets under more pressure than ever, the last thing the local taxpayer needs is to be paying massive compensation claims for injuries caused by dangerous pavements.
"This is money that could have been spent on improving pavements and preventing these problems in the first place."
He went on: "Although some councils are investing heavily to improve their footways, others seem content to almost ignore pedestrians entirely. Too many councils seem interested only in motorists and not those who walk, cycle or take the bus.
"It appears that some councils seem to be making the cynical calculation that they can afford to pay out compensation rather than invest in improving pavements."