West Sussex County Council (20 001 355)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 29-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman does not propose to investigate Mrs X’s complaint about damage to her car from a pothole. This is because it is reasonable for her to seek compensation through the courts.

Devon County Council (20 001 055)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 28-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr and Mrs B’s complaint that the problems they experienced with flooding to their property were due in part to the Council’s poor maintenance of the highway drainage system. This is because it is not unreasonable to expect them to go to court to seek a remedy.

Coventry City Council (20 001 247)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 27-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council has not responded to her complaint about damage to her car from a pothole on the highway. This is because it would be reasonable for her to use the legal remedy available to her.

Telford & Wrekin Council (20 000 504)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 23-Jul-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains that her vehicle suffered damage caused by a pothole on a public highway. The Council has not accepted her claim for the damage. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns a claim about negligence which can only be determined by insurers or the courts. It was reasonable for Mrs X to seek a remedy in the small claims court.

Essex County Council (19 017 463)

Statement Not upheld Highway repair and maintenance 21-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation into Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with reports of a damaged manhole cover. There is a legal remedy available to Mr X if he considers the Council is not properly maintaining the road surface near his home.

London Borough of Croydon (20 000 750)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 20-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to maintain the public highway. This is because it would be reasonable for him to take the matter to court.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (19 016 961)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 20-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to repair her road. This is because the injustice she claims is not the result of fault by the Council.

East Sussex County Council (20 001 237)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 17-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an injury suffered by her son while on the public highway. This is because we cannot decide liability in personal injury claims. It is reasonable for Mrs X to seek compensation through the courts.

Durham County Council (20 000 610)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 17-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage to his property he says was caused by work carried out on the public highway. This is because the Ombudsman cannot establish liability in such matters, and it is reasonable for Mr X to use the legal remedy available to him.

Suffolk County Council (19 020 893)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 15-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a road closure. He is unlikely to find fault by the Council caused the complainant injustice that justifies his involvement.