Council settles legal action brought by Team Sky chief over pothole

Oldham Council has settled a claim brought by the Head of Business Operations for Team Sky, the professional cycling team, over a crash after she hit a pothole.

Fran Millar was riding a bike along High Street in Oldham on 1 May 2010, when she swerved to miss a pothole. However, she then hit a larger hole caused by road works.

Millar suffered a range of injuries to her face and hands, including a broken cheek, jaw, fingers and missing teeth.

Penny Knight from law firm Leigh Day, the claimant’s lawyer, said: “It was clear that the damage to the road, which caused this crash, was a result of poor resurfacing after the road had been dug up by the council for works to underground pipes.

“We all pay for the upkeep of the roads through our council tax and income tax, councils therefore have an obligation to ensure all roads are suitable and safe for all users.”

Millar said: “More people need to be encouraged to ride their bikes. We are now a cycling nation and councils must make sure that we can all enjoy the road safely. Had I not hit the pothole caused by these road works I would have been forced out into the road into the path of motorists. Having safe roads benefits everyone.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing at Oldham, said: "We're glad that Fran Millar has made a full recovery. We would advise all cyclists to wear helmets when riding.

"There is a national pothole funding crisis - Oldham is no different. On massively reduced budgets we must assess and prioritise all potholes on the basis of risk."