A MOTORIST says he will keep fighting for compensation after potholes caused £1,000 worth of damage to his BMW.

Tony Roberts, 49, from Shoebury, hit two potholes in Sutton Road, Southend, last April which damaged to his M-Sport BMW.

He has been pursuing Essex County Council for compensation for the past nine months, but it has now said the potholes are not dangerous and were deemed safe during an inspection a week before the BMW was damaged.

Mr Roberts said: “I had to get the car fixed because it wasn’t fit to drive. I didn’t go through insurance because I didn’t want it to go up. I thought the council would admit liability because it is responsible for the roads.

“I finally received a letter saying it had inspected the potholes and they weren’t at fault.

“If someone on a bike hit it, the wheel would’ve folded and they would’ve gone over the handlebars. There’s no way it can say it’s not dangerous. I’m going to carry on fighting. I’d like to know if anyone else has hit the same potholes.”

A spokeswoman from Essex County Council said: “All compensation claims received by Essex County Council are investigated fully and damages paid if the council is liable as the Highways Authority.”