We have responsibility for the maintenance of the highway including pavements and footpaths to ensure the public are not put at unreasonable risk during the normal course of events.
We have divided the highway network into categories of inspection based on usage and we have three inspectors whose main duty is to check the highway for defects.
Although we regularly check the highway, damage can happen in between our inspections that we won’t know about which is why it is really useful if the public let us know if a defect is seen. There is an easy to use online reporting page for any areas of concern you would like to let us know about.
We can’t promise to repair every defect but we can promise to check every report. We have intervention levels for different types of defects with the most common that lead to repair works being issued including:
- Potholes greater than 40mm deep
- Footway trips greater than 20mm
- Overgrown hedges preventing safe use of the pavement or obstructing visibility
Issue outside our network
We can't take any action to ensure footpaths can be used by the general public in the short term if they are not a public right of way or part of our highways network. Where paths have a period of 20 years of uninterrupted public use, a claim can be made that a public right way exists. This is known as a Modification Order but this application process can take several years before a conclusion is reached. However, once a right of way is established we do have powers to remove obstructions.
Claims
Unfortunately, incidents do happen and you may have suffered a loss as a result. Some people will make a claim against us if the loss is a result of negligence. Visit the claims for injury or damage to property page for more information.