Skip to main content
Somerset County Council logo
Menu
Close menu
  • Home
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Births, ceremonies and deaths
    • Births

      Includes registering a birth and ordering certificates

    • Marriages and ceremonies

      Includes ordering certificates and approved premises

    • Deaths

      Includes ordering certificates and tell us once service

  • Social care and health
    • Fostering and adoption

      Includes applying to adopt, becoming a foster carer and private fostering information

    • Carers

      Includes help, advice and support for carers

    • Adult social care

      Includes information for people who are 18 or over who have care and support needs

    • Help to live at home

      Includes equipment, care and support

    • Children’s social care

      Includes help for families and young people

    • Health and wellbeing

      Includes sexual health, preventing substance misuse and healthy workplaces

    • Public health

      Includes health checks, campaigns and mental health support

    • Safeguarding

      Includes protecting adults and children at risk

    • Housing options

      Includes care homes and sheltered housing

    • Specialist Public Health Nursing

      Includes information about health visitors, school nurses and public health nursing

  • Education and families
    • Adult learning

      Includes information about training courses across Somerset

    • Route1 advocacy

      Providing advice and support to children and young people

    • Choosing a school

      Includes information about catchment areas and admissions policies

    • School applications

      Includes information about applying to start school and moving to a different school

    • School life

      Includes term and holiday dates, exclusions and school activities

    • Childcare

      Includes entitlements, the support available and the latest childcare news

    • Fostering and adoption

      Includes applying to adopt, becoming a foster carer and private fostering information

    • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

      Includes our Local Offer and the services available

    • School transport

      Includes information about different types of school transport and how to apply

    • Children

      Includes employing children, child protection and corporate parenting

  • Roads and transport
    • Problems on the road

      Includes how to report potholes, flooding and traffic lights

    • Signs and streetlights

      Includes speed limits, road signs and how to report faulty lights

    • Parking

      Includes paying or challenging a fine, blue badges and permits

    • Public and community transport

      Includes bus passes and park and ride information

    • School transport

      Includes information about different types of school transport and how to apply

    • Road projects

      We deliver Major Highway Schemes which have been identified through the Local Transport Plan (LTP) process

    • Rights of way

      Includes footpaths, bridleways and open access lands

    • Road works and road closures

      Includes information about plans for temporary and new works and closures

    • Road safety

      Includes how we work to make our roads safer

  • Libraries, community and leisure
    • Planning for Brexit

      What we are doing to plan for the UK leaving the European Union

    • Libraries

      Includes library membership, services and events

    • Volunteering

      Includes how to get involved in community activities and projects

    • Heritage

      Includes museums, records and archaeology

    • Safer communities

      Includes making your home safer and community safer

    • Community initiatives

      Includes community initiatives and community right to challenge

  • Waste, planning and land
    • Planning

      Includes applying for planning permission and reporting unauthorised developments

    • Waste

      Includes waste collections and recycling

    • Property

      Includes information about county farms and our land and building assets

    • Flooding and drainage

      Includes how we support flood prevention and planning

    • Rights of way

      Includes footpaths, bridleways and open access lands

    • Countryside

      Includes Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, walking and cycling

    • Emergencies

      Includes information about planning for emergencies

  • Business and economy
    • Do business with the Council

      Includes current business and contact opportunities

    • Supporting businesses

      Includes registering as a childminder and support and advice for businesses

    • Procurement

      Includes how we procure goods, services and works

    • Licences

      Includes approved premises licenses and permission for decorations on the road

  • Our information
    • Freedom of information

      Includes how to ask us questions about what we do

    • How we use your information

      Includes the information we hold about you and how we protect it

    • Accessing our information

      Includes Data Protection and the re-use of our information

    • Have your say

      Includes petitions and ongoing consultations

  • How the council works
    • Our plans

      Includes the County Plan and the Business Plan

    • Democracy

      Includes Councillors, meetings and elections

    • Our finances

      Includes our budgeting and spending information

    • Partnerships and Trusts

      Includes how we work with other organisations

    • Our performance

      Includes how we set and meet our goals and your feedback

    • Local Government Reorganisation in Somerset

      The future of Local Government in Somerset

  • Jobs and Careers
  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy notices and cookies

About your new Somerset Council
Your local council and this website will be changing from the 1 April 2023
Read more about the changes here

Home Roads and transport Report a problem on the road

Report a problem on the road

We repair potholes and other road defects, and maintain our roads, for the safe access of all road users

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.

Choose a problem

Pothole or road damage

Blocked drain or gully

Damaged pavement or cycle path

Pothole or road damage

When you report a pothole it is inspected within 3 working days and a repair will be planned in as set out in our Highway Safety Inspection Manual.

Please give us as much information as possible that will help our inspector find the pothole or road defect. The more information you give us, the easier it will be for us to find. Please tell us:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • Where the pothole or road defect is, including post code, road name and parish
  • Is the pothole or defect outside a specific property, for example outside Number 4, or near lamp column number 27

Read more about potholes and road damage

If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Blocked drain or gully

We operate a planned maintenance programme for cleaning highway surface water drains on all the roads we maintain. Where defects or flooding are identified, outside the planned programme, these will be dealt with as necessary.

When you contact us to report a blocked drain, please provide the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • Where the drain is, including the road name and area
  • If it is outside a specific property

Read more about drains and gullies

If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101. For the latest information about floods affecting roads in Somerset, please visit the Travel Somerset website.

Start now

Damaged pavement or cycle path

When you report a defect about a footway or cycle path, 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.

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

Read more about pavements and cycle paths

If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Damaged road sign or bollard

Overgrown hedge or verge

Problem with a pedestrian crossing

Damaged road sign or bollard

You can report road signs or non-illuminated bollards which need cleaning, repair or replacement here. To report a problem with an illuminated road sign or bollard please phone our Streetlight Fault Line, on 0345 601 0939.

When you contact us please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • Where the sign or bollard is, including the road name
  • If possible, the number on the sign or bollard
  • Whether the problem is outside a specific property

We will prioritise what we do depending on how severe the defect is and where it is.

Read more about signs, bollards and road markings

If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Overgrown hedge or verge

During the growing season we carry out a number of environmental maintenance operations to help keep all road users safe.

When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • The name of the road or junction
  • Whether the location is usually cut by us, if you know

Read more about hedges and verges 

If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Problem with a pedestrian crossing

We provide pedestrian crossings throughout Somerset to help people cross busy roads safely and easily. You can report a problem with a pedestrian crossing 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 pedestrian crossing is, including the road name and area
  • Details about the problem

Read more about pedestrian crossings

If you would like to request a pedestrian crossing or school flashing lights, you should contact the appropriate parish council. They will contact the Area Highways Office on your behalf if they support your request.

Start now

Traffic light fault

Bridge or retaining wall damage

Damaged drains or covers

Traffic light fault

When you report faulty traffic lights, we will investigate your report as soon as possible and take appropriate action to make it safe. Our contractor will attend the site within 24 hours.

When you contact us please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • The date and time you noticed the problem
  • The location, including the road name or junction
  • Whether the traffic lights are permanent or temporary
  • Note the exact details of the fault, for example: ‘the green man isn’t working outside the school’

Read more about traffic lights

Phone the police general enquiries line, 101, outside of our opening hours. Please do not touch the equipment or exposed wires. If the traffic lights are on a motorway junction phone Highways England on 0300 123 5000.

Start now

Bridge or retaining wall damage

When you report an incident, we will assess the severity and assign an inspector. If we are not responsible for the structure, we will pass the report to the appropriate owner. We will make the site safe and respond in accordance with the inspector’s recommendations.

When you contact us please provide:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • Structure type – such as subway, retaining wall, railway bridge
  • Incident type or cause – such as vehicular, vandalism, water flow
  • Severity or nature such as road blocked, debris, cracks

Read more about bridges and retaining walls

Bold alert – If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Damaged drains or covers

Where possible, we will inspect the site by the end of the next working day. If the manhole is owned by a utility company, we will request that they fix the problem within 7 days. Or, you can contact them directly to report a defect.

When you contact us please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • Where the gully grating, drain or manhole cover is, including the road name and parish
  • If it is outside a specific property
  • Who the cover belongs to, for example British Telecom, British Gas, a water authority or electricity company

Read more about gully gratings, manholes and drain covers

If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Report flooding

Hazard on the road

Mud on the road

Report flooding

You can report flooding here. For the latest information about floods and other adverse weather conditions affecting roads in Somerset, please visit the Travel Somerset website.

When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number
  • Where the flooding is
  • Whether it is outside a specific property or address

Read more about flooding

If you are reporting this problem outside normal working hours and you believe it is urgent and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101. Please phone reports of mud on ‘A’ class roads (for example A38) straight to the police on 101.

Start now

Hazard on the road

We work with the police and other agencies like specialist waste contractors and the Environment Agency to remove hazards on the road. Examples of hazards can include a tree branch, hazardous waste, traffic cones, a blown tyre or dumped rubbish.

When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • the road name
  • whether it is outside a specific property
  • whether it is in the road or on the footway
  • whether it is hazardous waste, and if so, what it is
  • whether it is near a watercourse (for example, a river or stream) or a drain

Read more about hazards on the road

If there is an urgent problem outside office hours and it is a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Mud on the road

You can report mud here. For the latest information about floods and other adverse weather conditions affecting roads in Somerset, please visit the Travel Somerset website.

When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number
  • Where the mud 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?

Read more about mud on the road

If you are reporting this problem outside normal working hours and you believe it is urgent and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101. Please phone reports of mud on ‘A’ class roads (for example A38) straight to the police on 101.

Start now

Problem with road markings

Obstruction on a pavement

Obstruction on a road or verge

Problem with road markings

We put markings on the road, such as ‘give way’ markings, school ‘keep clears’ and bus stop markings, to make them safe for everyone. Contact us to report road markings that are unclear, damaged or missing reflective road studs, or to request new road markings.

When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • Where the road markings are, including the road name and area
  • Details about the problem

Read more about road signs and markings

If you want to request a street nameplate, please contact your district council.

Start now

Obstruction on a pavement

You can report obstructions on the pavement 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?

Read more about pavements and cycle paths

Start now

Obstruction on a road or verge

We respond to information received and inspections undertaken. We will remove any obstructions that are found to be a hazard to highway users as defined by our policy. We also investigate the placing of unauthorised hedges, fences or structures on the highway verge.

When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • The name of the road or junction
  • Whether the location is usually cut by us, if you know

Read more about road or verge obstructions

If you are reporting this defect outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Weeds on the road or pavement

Snow or ice on the road

Problem with street and roadworks

Weeds on the road or pavement

Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1959 we are responsible for controlling certain noxious weeds, including ragwort. When you report noxious weeds, we will make sure they are dealt with in the appropriate manner.

When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • Your name, address and phone number in case we need to contact you
  • The location of the weeds. including the road name and parish
  • The type of weed (if you know)

Read more about weeds

We use an environmentally friendly non-residual weedkiller that leaves no residue after 24 hours.

Start now

Snow or ice on the road

We are responsible for highway winter service in Somerset, except for the M5, A303 and A36. We have a precautionary salting network, which covers key routes across the county. For the latest information about bad weather affecting roads in Somerset, please visit the Travel Somerset website. You can find information on our services during bad weather here.

When you contact us please tell us:

  • what the problem is
  • exactly where the problem is
  • your name and address, in case we need to contact you
  • whether or not the road is usually salted, if you know

Read more about snow and ice

If you are reporting this problem outside normal working hours and you believe it is an urgent problem and a risk to public safety, please phone the police on 101.

Start now

Problem with street and roadworks

We will investigate all reports that we receive. The information you give will help us to keep the roads and pavements in good repair and minimise disturbance.

When you report a problem, please tell us:

  • Your name and contact number in case we need to get in touch with you
  • The name of the contractor if possible
  • The details of the problem

Read more about street and roadworks

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.

Start now

Flyposting or graffiti

Problem with on street parking

Problem with a road closure

Flyposting or graffiti

Depending on the nature and location of the signs and graffiti, we will either remove or if we know who it is, ask the person responsible to remove them. Unless the graffiti is deemed to be offensive or obscene it will be removed in line with routine refurbishment or as and when resources will allow.

When you contact us, please provide:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • What the problem is
  • Where the problem is

Read more about flyposting or graffiti

For flyposting or signs that are not on the highway, please contact your local district council.

Start now

Problem with on street parking

We enforce on-street parking restrictions to improve road safety for all road users, to improve the flow of traffic, and to make sure emergency vehicles and public transport can travel without obstruction or delay.

If you would like to report a vehicle parked in contravention of parking restrictions, please phone our enforcement contractor NSL on 01823 219035 or email somersetparkingenquiries@nsl.co.uk

Read more about on-street parking restrictions

We are not able to take any action against parked vehicles which are causing an obstruction where no parking restriction applies. These vehicles can only be dealt with by the police, who you should contact using their non-emergency phone number – 101.

Start now

Problem with a road closure

You can report problems with road closures here. When you contact us, please give us the following information:

  • Your name and phone number
  • Where the road closure is
  • Whether it is near a specific property or address

Read more about road closures

Start now

Faulty Streetlight

Anything else

Faulty Streetlight

You can report a faulty streetlight using our form. When you contact us, please give the following information:

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • The number on the street light column
  • Where the street light is, including the road name and area
  • Whether the street light is outside a specific property
  • The form has 2 pages and should take 1 to 2 minutes to complete.

Start now

Anything else

You can ask us a question about anything not on this list here. When you contact us please provide the following information (if available):

  • Your name and phone number, in case we need to contact you
  • Whether your problem relates to a specific location

Start now

scc logo

Built by the SCC Digital Service

  • v1.11
  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy notices and cookies

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website and to analyse our traffic. By clicking accept, you consent to this. If you do not click accept you can continue to use our website without cookies. If you wish to remove your consent at any time, please clear your local storage.