More than £860,000 has been paid out in compensation following accidents on Middlesbrough’s footpaths over the past four years, according to Freedom of Information.
The data shows that between the 2022/23 and 2025/26 financial years, a total of £866,584 was paid out in claims linked to slips, trips and falls on pavements across the town.
The payments were made through the council’s insurers following successful compensation claims relating to injuries sustained on footpaths.
Independent cllr Joan McTigue questioned whether the money could have been better spent on preventative maintenance. She said it was difficult not to wonder whether repairing damaged pavements in the first place would have cost less than the compensation ultimately paid out.
The figures highlight the financial impact that pavement related accidents can have on local authorities, alongside the risks posed to residents using public footpaths. It remains unclear whether the total includes compensation linked to accidents on damaged grass verges that run alongside many residential pavements in the town.
Responding to the figures, Middlesbrough Council said maintaining safe footpaths remains a priority. A council spokesperson said the authority carries out regular inspections and operates an ongoing programme of repairs and maintenance across the borough.
They added that residents play an important role in reporting defects so issues can be addressed quickly and effectively.
The spokesperson said public safety remains paramount and that, where possible, the council also undertakes wider preventative maintenance work to reduce future risks.
