A DISABLED driver wants a roads company to foot a £600 repair bill after his car was damaged by a pothole in Port Glasgow.

Freelance photographer Alex Craig, 37, was on his way to cover a Morton game at Cappielow when his vehicle hit a crater, pictured, on the A8.

Alex has been told his car has sustained damage to the two top mounts and springs - and has been quoted just under £600 to have it fixed.

Alex Craig

Alex Craig

He wants infrastructure services and engineering company Amey - which looks after the trunk road for Transport Scotland - to accept responsibility and cover the cost.

But in a letter sent to Alex, Amey have claimed that the road was inspected twice around the time he hit the crater.

They insist no defects were noted and therefore dispute Alex's claim.

Alex has left side hemiplegia resulting from a brain injury sustained when he was knocked down by a bus when he was just 10-years-old.

The accident left him with a bleed on the brain which caused paralysis down his left side.

He said: "I got in touch with Amey after the incident and sent them pictures with a date stamp on them.

"They're insisting that the road was not damaged.

"I think they've repaired the road after it happened and now don't want to accept liability.

Alex Craig

Alex Craig

"It's going to cost around £550 for labour and parts.

"I think it's only fair that they should help out with the cost."

The photographer needs his car for work and says he's now considering taking the case to the small claims court for damage sustained and loss of earnings.

Alex added: "I can drive the car but I know that it's eventually going to collapse.

"I'm just really annoyed.

"Amey should accept responsibility."

A spokesperson for Amey’s Scottish South West Trunk Roads Unit, said when the control room was alerted to a 'potential hazard', a route team was immediately dispatched to investigate and make any necessary repairs.

He added: "If an actionable defect had been identified during a prior inspection it would have been made safe, and if necessary, permanent repairs would also be programmed.

"Mr Craig returned a claim form on April 16 and our route inspectors investigated the circumstances and concluded that our processes met our contractual requirements.

"The decision to repudiate a claim is not taken lightly.

"It is based on the facts and circumstances, and the application of the law.

"Mr Craig is welcome to appeal his decision, in writing, providing additional information to support his claim, which an independent senior manager will review to confirm if the correct decision has been made in the circumstances.

"He can also contact our third party claims team directly to discuss this matter."