Croydon Council approves £17.5m road upgrades after £1.4m injury payouts

Croydon Council announced on 29 July 2026 that it will fund a £17.5 million highways improvement programme for the 2026/27 financial year. The decision follows a three‑year period in which the council settled 205 personal injury claims at a total cost of £1.4 million and rejected 1,008 of the 1,213 public liability claims it received.

Claim numbers and financial impact

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The council recorded 1,213 public liability claims between 2022 and 2025, according to data supplied to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Of those, 205 were settled, averaging £6,812.54 per claim, while the remaining 1,008 were dismissed. Croydon maintains 726 km of roads and 1,235 km of footpaths, the largest network of any London borough, which the council says contributes to the high volume of highway‑related incidents.

Every injury matters, but the number of claims submitted should not be confused with the number upheld.

Council spokesperson, Croydon Council

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Political reaction

Stuart King, leader of Croydon’s Labour opposition, criticised the settlement figures, stating that the £1.4 million spent since Mayor Jason Perry took office raises questions about public‑money protection and risk management. He called for an explanation of why the claims arose and what steps are being taken to prevent repeat incidents.

Council response and next steps

In reply, Croydon Council said it is implementing decisive actions to improve road surfaces and reduce accidents. The council reported that personal injury claims have fallen by roughly 20 per cent in the most recent data. It also highlighted the introduction of a dedicated “pothole patrol” that monitors and repairs defects throughout the year, and noted that more than 3,000 potholes were fixed during the current financial year.

The £17.5 million highways programme will fund resurfacing works, drainage upgrades, and safety enhancements across the borough’s extensive road and footpath network. The council plans to begin the first phase of works in early 2026, with progress reports to be published quarterly.