Defects on public highways

Any hazard in the 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 to be a risk:

• Large potholes or trips in roads or footways.
• Gully or drain cover missing.
• Wall exposing a large drop to the rear on either the footway or road.
• Pedestrian guard railing protruding into the footway or road.
• Fencing protruding into the footway or road.
• Concrete bollard knocked over onto the footway or road.
• Inspection covers missing or damaged.
• Bridge parapets damaged.
• Oil spillages on the road.
• Lamp columns knocked down, wires exposed or lanterns hanging loose.
• Road traffic bollards knocked down or broken.
• Sign poles knocked down or sign plates hanging loose.
• Traffic signals lights not working or traffic light head broken or hanging loose.

You can report damage to the highway by either telephone or email, using the contact details below. The report will then be classed as either an emergency or routine work based on the type and extent of damage. 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 damage.
• Your name and a contact number.
• Date and approximate time of damage.
• Persons or vehicle registration responsible for damage (if known).
• Were the police in attendance?

For emergency work where person or property is seriously at danger, we aim to make a hazard safe within two hours, for example by signing and guarding the problem. The damage is then assessed by Bedfordshire Highways and any necessary repair works undertaken. If it is dangerous then we strive to carry out a repair within 24 hours.
Sometimes the damage is not the responsibility of Bedfordshire Highways, The following are some examples of street furniture and property that is not the responsibility of the Council:

• Inspection covers in the footway or road for example; stop taps, fire hydrants, manholes and valve boxes.
• Walls built for non-highway purposes.
• Cellar covers.
• Utility cabinets in the highway.

If ownership details can be established we will contact the respective owner who is responsible. A request will be made that they attend and make the hazard safe within a set timescale.

• If they are unable to meet this timescale and if the hazard is dangerous we will make it safe and will then recover the costs.
• If the responsibility cannot be established and the damage or hazard requires making safe, the Council will carry out the work and then attempt to find the property owner to enable a recovery of costs to be made.

To report any such damage to the roads or footways please use the contact details below:

Highways Helpdesk Request Tracking

Customers can now view the latest status of their highway enquiry online|. Simply follow the instructions by inserting in to the relevant boxes your original unique reference number (URN) together with your postcode.

Unfortunately if you did not give a postcode when you logged your original enquiry, then this facility will not be available to you.

Contacts

Highways Helpdesk
Bedfordshire County Council
6th Floor
County Hall
Bedford
MK42 9AP
Tel: (01234) 228661
Email: highways@bedscc.gov.uk |