City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (19 011 498)

Statement Upheld Highway repair and maintenance 10-Aug-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to tell her about road works affecting her business. She also complained about the actions of the Council’s works contractor. The Ombudsman found some fault when Mrs X was not notified about a road closure, when contractors parked on her private land without permission, and in the Council’s complaint handling.

Shropshire Council (20 001 832)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 10-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to respond to the parish council about highway maintenance and improvement issues. This is because Mrs X has raised the complaint as a member of the parish council.

West Sussex County Council (20 001 739)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 10-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a car accident she says was caused by a pothole. This is because it is reasonable for her to seek compensation through the courts.

Gloucestershire County Council (20 002 272)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 07-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr A’s complaint about damage to his car caused by a pothole. This is because Mr X has a legal remedy and it would be reasonable for him to use this.

City of York Council (20 001 590)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 07-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s work to a pavement causing damp to his property, or how it has responded to his concerns about it. The core of the complaint is a claim of liability against the Council, which is a matter for the courts to determine. It is reasonable for Mr X to go to court as it can make the finding and provide the outcomes he seeks.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (20 001 633)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 07-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council will not pay for damage caused to her car by a broken wall owned by the Council. It is reasonable to expect Miss X to resort to court action for the compensation she seeks. The complaint is therefore outside the Ombudsman’s legal remit.

Sheffield City Council (20 001 388)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 06-Aug-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council refuses to resurface his road which he says needs repair. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. It is reasonable to expect Mr X to use his right to go to court to require the Council to repair the road.

Shropshire Council (19 017 076)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 05-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation into Mrs X’s complaint that the Council failed to deal with her reports of a blocked drain. This is because Mrs X’s substantive injustice lies in possible damage to her property and it would be reasonable for her to take the matter to court.

Surrey County Council (20 001 459)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 04-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about pothole damage to his car as it is reasonable to expect Mr X to resort to court action for the compensation he seeks.

London Borough of Havering (19 019 171)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 03-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has failed to stop water ‘pooling’ on the crossover from his property to the highway and should therefore refund part of the installation fee. There is insufficient injustice to Mr X and investigation will not result in the outcome requested.