POTHOLE compensation claims against Wiltshire Council have fallen by 40 per cent, leading to a saving in cash pay-outs of £24k.

And the number of claims has reduced from 451 in 2017/18 to 312 in 2018/19.

More pot holes have been filled than the previous year and complaints about the road hazards have gone down.

Figures released ahead of an environment select meeting next week show that 11,426 pot holes were filled by highways teams, up from 10,848 in 2017/18.

While number of potholes being filled has gone up, the number with the most serious safety issues has decreased.

Contractor Ringway operated four pothole team to respond to urgent issues and highways officers said: “It is important serious defects are treated promptly to keep roads safe.”