A MOTORIST has won a five-month battle for compensation after West Oxfordshire District Council said it would be cheaper to pay up than investigate her claim.

Dorothy Holloway began a battle to reclaim her husband David’s £60 insurance excess after the windscreen of their Kia Sportage was cracked when Oxfordshire County Council was resurfacing roads in May.

Mrs Holloway claimed a loose chipping was thrown up by either a district or county council lorry.

Both authorities continue to deny liability for the incident.

However, WODC said by paying up instead of investigating the incident further, it would save taxpayers’ cash.

Mrs Holloway, 62, of Wenrisc Drive in Minster Lovell, said: “I am highly delighted.

“I have to say I didn’t think I was going to get it. Even Citizens Advice told me to drop it, but I thought: ‘why the hell should I?’ “It was not our fault. I am sorry it’s come out of taxpayers money but we pay tax and I support a lot of things with tax I don’t use.

“We are not destitute but they’ve got more money than us.”

Mrs Holloway was being driven along Burford Road in Minster Lovell by her husband when the chipping flew up from a vehicle driving in Brize Norton Road and hit their car.

West Oxfordshire council spokesman Sam Simpson said: “Mrs Holloway claimed that it was a West Oxfordshire District Council vehicle that had caused loose road chippings to damage her windscreen.

“There is no evidence to prove whether or not this was the case, but following lengthy investigations the council decided that the most prudent way forward was to reimburse the Holloways’ £60 insurance excess.

“This was an exceptional case and, while the council accepts no liability for the damage to the Holloways’ vehicle, this reimbursement has prevented extra costs to the council – and therefore taxpayers’ money – which would have been involved in investigating this case further.”

County council spokesman Owen Morton said it was “not liable for claims relating to chippings from resurfacing works” despite being the Highways Authority.

He said: “Such claims are dealt with by the relevant contractor carrying out the work.”

He added that County Hall did not keep a record of claims made against the contractors it hires.