Potholes and dangerous pavements
Report damage to pavements or highways...
What should be reported
Any hazard in the highway (road or footway) caused as a result of an accident, damage or vandalism may be considered a risk to the public and could result in personal injury to pedestrians, road users or possible damage to property. The following types of damage are considered a risk:-
- pot holes
- dangerous pavements
- gully or drain cover missing
- pedestrian guard rail protruding into pavement or road
- concrete bollard knocked over onto the pavement or road
- inspection cover missing or broken
- stolen paving slabs
Information we need
- We require as much of the following information as possible to respond to your report:-
- Street name and area.
- Location on street, i.e. is it near a house number or road junction?
- Description and detail of the defect or damage.
- Your name and a contact number.
- If reporting damage, the date and approximate time the damage occurred.
- Persons or vehicle registration responsible for damage (if known).
- Were the police in attendance?
Our responsibility
The council has a statutory duty to maintain the highway in a safe condition (Section 41 Highways Act 1980) and takes this responsibility very seriously. Regular safety surveys are carried out, the frequency of which varies from monthly to annually, depending upon the usage of the footway and carriageway. These surveys record any defects which require attention and a repair is issued.
The timescale of any repair being carried out varies depending upon the nature of the defect.
What is not council responsibility
The following are some examples of street furniture and property that is not the responsibility of the Council:-
- Inspection covers in the pavement or road for example; stop taps, fire hydrants, manholes and valve boxes.
- Walls built for non-highway purposes.
- Cellar covers.
- British Telecom or Cable cabinets.
Defects or damage to any of the above will be referred direct to the respective statutory undertaker or owner who is responsible requesting that they make the hazard safe within an appropriate time scale.
Please note that unless there is an obvious grave danger, the reporting of a pothole or other potential danger out of normal working hours will not be investigated until the next working day.
