Pavement and cycle path defects
If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours – Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm – and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.
We are responsible for maintaining the highway, including pavements and footways. Trip hazards on pavements are a key concern at all times, while weeds, standing water and ice are more seasonal.
You can report problems with highway kerbs, cycleways and footways here
When you contact us please give us the following information:
- Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
- Where the problem is, including the road name and town or village
- Why you are reporting it
When you report a defect about a footway or cyclepath we will inspect it within 3 working days. The repair response time will depend on the type of defect you have reported and where it is. Repair will be in accordance with our Highway Safety Inspection Manual.
Pavement obstructions
We control unauthorised signs and goods displayed on a highway footway or pavement to ensure the safety of the public
We respond to information received or inspections undertaken, and we remove any sign or goods that are a hazard as defined by our departmental policy.
You can report a pavement obstruction here.
When you contact us, please give us the following information:
- Your name and phone number
- Where the obstruction is
- Whether it is outside a specific property or address
- Do you know who put it there, for example, the landowner or a company name?
When you report an obstruction we will inspect within 24 hours where resources permit. Action is determined by the nature of the obstruction and will be in accordance with our Highway Safety Inspection Manual.
Maintaining footways
When we decide on priorities for maintaining footways we make sure that opportunities are taken to help social inclusion, particularly improving accessibility for older and disabled people, and people using prams and pushchairs. This includes providing dropped kerbs in suitable locations and textured paving near crossing points.
Manhole covers
Please contact us to report a manhole cover that is broken, collapsing, missing, very low or protruding above road level that might be dangerous to highway users. We will assess the cover and arrange appropriate remedial work.
It is useful to know who the owner of the cover is (for example, phone, gas or water), as it can speed up the process of repair or replacement. If the manhole is owned by a utility company, we will request that they fix the problem within 7 days. Or, you can phone the utility company directly to report a defect.