COUNTY Hall has spent more than £3,000 compensating injury claims made because of the state of Brentwood High Street.

Figures shown to the Weekly News show that 15 personal injury claims were made to Essex County Council between December 2009, when £7million of refurbishment work was finished, and September this year.

Three of those claims resulted in payouts, totalling £3,102.96.

Brentwood councillor David Kendall has been calling on County Hall to fix what he calls “trip hazards” along the High Street for months, and has previously highlighted the Wilsons Corner end as a real concern.

Mr Kendall said he now believed a report was being drawn up at County Hall in connection with the High Street following his calls.

Commenting on the injury claims, Mr Kendall said: “The fact that there have been 15 reported personal injury claims over the last five years will surprise no one.

“Anyone who visits the High Street on a regular basis will have seen many people taking a tumble so the only surprise is that the claims figure isn’t higher.”

He added: “Defect after defect is being reported. The situation cannot be allowed to go on. We need our High Street to be made safer.”

A county council spokesman said action may soon be taken.