A RETIRED paramedic wants answers after a pothole damaged his car.

Alan Parkinson, 60, wants Kirklees Council to admit responsibility for the large hole on Sandy Lane near Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

The Oakes man drove over the pothole at about 30mph on February 14.

He said: “I felt this almighty bang and shudder through my car. There was a large lump on the side wall of my front off-side tyre and the car developed a persistent rattling in the rear end. My back suspension linkage was damaged and I got it repaired on the car’s warranty. I had to buy a new tyre for £68.79.”

Mr Parkinson wrote to Kirklees asking them to pay for the tyre.

But council officer Rachel Bell replied on March 26 saying Kirklees was not liable for the damage as the road had been inspected for potholes on November 13, 2008.

She wrote: “Because this particular pothole appeared after the November inspection ... the council can not be held responsible for any damage or injury caused by that pothole.”

Mr Parkinson said: “What a get-out clause for the council. If they are denying any responsibility for the deterioration of the road then who’s responsibility is it?”

Mr Parkinson, who worked as a paramedic for 35 years, added: “Who’s to blame if an old lady trips on a pavement – which I’ve seen umpteen times.”