New figures released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that Leeds City Council has paid out over £10 million in compensation to people who have been injured on faulty footpaths over the last five years.
Some 2,904 such claims were put in between 2004-05 and 2008-08 as a result of damaged or badly maintained footpaths, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.
This was the highest number of any council in the UK and resulted in total payouts of £10,259,125.
The Liberal Democrats ordered the survey and spokesperson Norman Baker said he feels the council is simply paying claims instead of making appropriate repairs to the paths.
He added: "Too many councils seem interested only in motorists and not those who walk, cycle or take the bus."
Councils and highways agencies are responsible for the maintenance of footpaths and roads and must carry out regular checks.
If anyone suffers an accident and can prove that the section of footpath had not been recently checked, they may be eligible for personal injury compensation.
