Powys County Council must do more to raise awareness about how drivers can claim compensation for vehicle damage caused by potholes, a senior councillor has said.

Cllr William Powell, the council’s vice-chair, raised the issue in questions to the cabinet member for highways, Cllr Jackie Charlton.

The comments follow a decision earlier this year by the Liberal Democrat/Labour administration to allocate an additional £1.226 million in Welsh Government funding for “essential highway maintenance.”

Cllr Powell has called on the council to raise awareness - via its website and social media - about how residents and visitors can claim compensation for pothole-related vehicle damage. He said a system similar to rail firms' automated compensation schemes could help drive improvements.

He also asked how local councillors would contribute to plans for the £1.226m road repair investment, to ensure local knowledge and residents’ concerns shape the strategy.

Cllr Charlton said the public can submit highway insurance claims via the council’s website

While social media provides updates on road closures and maintenance, she acknowledged it doesn’t reach all residents and noted that information is also shared with local councillors to help spread the word.

She said highway inspectors were now using a new “digital platform” to manage the council’s highways assets, and that work was under way to link the system to the main council website.

She said this would “keep members of the public informed on progress of the jobs they report.”

Regarding the funding, Cllr Charlton said a development session for councillors would be held to explain the planned actions.

The council said its average payout for pothole damage last year was £3,223, with 624 reports logged - though some may have referred to the same pothole.