IN February my wife had the misfortune to hit a pothole while driving in Stakenbridge Lane, Hagley.

The wheel was badly damaged, the tyre ripped and there was damage to the car.

On telephoning Bromsgrove council there seemed no surprise, as a number of people had suffered similar problems at the same place - the council employee actually telling me where the hole was situated.

This was verified when taking the car to a garage, where they appeared not unduly surprised as a number of cars had been brought in which had suffered similar damage at the same place.

It now appears that I cannot claim against the county council under the terms of the Woolf Report.

The road was inspected in October and there appeared to be no faults.

Therefore, there is no legal obligation to recompense me for the cost of repairs though nearly five months had elapsed since the inspection.

The hole (of which I have photographs) was nearly eight inches deep - it was suddenly repaired within 36 hours.

Once more the county council are hiding behind some obscure ruling which, as usual, acts in their favour and I am rather out of pocket.

This story will now give credence to Mr Oborski's comments regarding the failure of the same people to clear the snow from Kidderminster just after Christmas.

Obviously they inspected Kidderminster in October when there was no snow.

JF PARDOE

Aster Avenue

Kidderminster