Fill that hole: Report pothole hazards on your routes - fix potholes

Ok...I have never done this before - I have drafted a letter to the council and enclosed photos.
Advice / Feedback appreciated.

             To whom it may concern

I am writing to make a claim against Westminster Council for damage sustained to my Aksium wheelset, as a result of a deep pothole/roadwork left uncovered on Waterloo Bridge.

I was riding over Waterloo Bridge on the 27th August at approximately 14.40 to attend a 15.00 hair appointment in Covent Garden. I hit a huge hole in the bridge, which looked like a man-made roadwork that had been left uncovered. I was very fortunate not to fall off my bike into heavy traffic as a result of contact with it. The wheels took the brunt of the impact, and I sustained a puncture to the rear wheel. I immediately moved off the road, and checked my wheels, which were both wobbling, although the rear seemed to have sustained the worst of the impact.
I did not have time to photograph the pothole as I had an appointment to attend and the traffic was busy. When I was able to return to photograph the hole on the 31/08/2010, it had been covered over. I enclose photographs of the site, and it is clear that the tar is fresh and you can make out the outline of the hole it covers. I am sure you have records of works undertaken on the bridge between 27-31st August to confirm this. I would like to see a copy of these if possible.
I also enclose a photograph of text correspondence with my partner, as I asked him to get me an inner tube to replace the rear one which was punctured when I went over the pothole. This confirms times and dates of this incident.

I have since visited a bike shop who tried to true the wheels for me. The mechanic informed me that the rear rim is dented, and a replacement is required. I enclose an assessment of the damage, and a quote for a replacement wheel-set.
Please advise how and when I shall be re-imbursed for the damage and costs incurred, and what further action I need to take in this matter.
I would also like to inform you that when I returned to the site to take photos I discovered two very dangerous potholes on the road nearby the site where my wheels were damaged. The first appears to be man-made and near a bus-stop, directly in the path cyclists would usually be taking on the bridge. (see photo 2a)
Furthermore, on the opposite side of the road to where I encountered the road-work, there is a very large pothole, but also a notice declaring ‘Cycle Lane Closed’. You will see from my photographs (Photos 2b,c,d) that this sign actually encourages cyclists to move right out into the road, due to the closure of the cycle lane. This moves them directly into the path of the giant pothole. This is a very dangerous situation, and we witnessed many vehicles and cyclists swerving to avoid this pothole when we were taking photographs. Should a cyclist be knocked off their bike due to being instructed to enter the path of this pothole as a result of the closed cycle path, or should a car swerve to avoid it and move into the path of a cyclist, the outcome could be very serious.

I was very disappointed to see such carelessness on the part of whoever is responsible for this. Clearly no thought has been given to the effect such negligence has on road-users. I hope that having brought this to your attention, something will be done about it before someone has a bad accident. I would have thought there are general safety standards which need to be adhered to on such busy central roads in the event of construction, road-works, or cycle lane closure?

I would appreciate a swift response to this issue as I now find myself without a wheel-set to ride and race with, and cycling is my primary source of transport.

Yours Sincerely, etc.etc.etc.

PHOTOS: