Buckinghamshire Council (20 007 976)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 19-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage to his car from a pothole. This is because it is reasonable for him to seek compensation through the courts.

Buckinghamshire Council (20 007 749)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 18-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council will not compensate him for damage caused to his cycle by a pothole. The Ombudsman will not investigate as it is reasonable to expect Mr X to seek compensation through the courts.

Shropshire Council (20 005 872)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 16-Nov-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her claim for damage to her car when it suffered damage from a pothole in the public highway. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns damage to property and liability can only be determined by insurers or the courts. It is reasonable for Mrs X to take the matter to the small claims court if she is dissatisfied with the outcome of the insurance claim.

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (20 005 801)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 12-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint that the Council will not accept liability for damage to the complainant’s property in 2015. This is both because the complaint is made too late and the complainant could seek a remedy in court.

Staffordshire County Council (20 005 275)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 12-Nov-2020

Summary: The complainant says the Council has failed to fully repair the pavement outside his home. And it will not speak to him direct to discuss his concerns. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. It is outside his jurisdiction as the complainant can ask the court to decide if the Council should replace the pavement.

Kent County Council (20 005 186)

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

Summary: Mr X complains Council policy is wrong in requiring members of the public to only request road improvements via their local councillor rather than in their own name. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council or injustice caused to Mr X to warrant an investigation.

Devon County Council (20 005 149)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway repair and maintenance 09-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council failed to properly maintain the highway. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint. It is late and the injustice claimed by Mr X is not sufficient to warrant exercising discretion in this case.

Northumberland County Council (20 005 013)

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

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council not maintaining the highway near the complainant’s home. He is unlikely to find fault in how the Council has decided what work to carry out. The complainant could also seek a remedy in court. A complaint about providing information to the complainant should be made to the Information Commissioner.

Essex County Council (19 019 873)

Statement Upheld Highway repair and maintenance 05-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to ensure that roadworks completed by third party contractors were conducted in a safe manner. The Council was at fault for failing to inspect the correct site. The Council’s fault did not cause a significant personal injustice to Mr X.

Durham County Council (20 005 304)

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

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that she trip and fell due to a defect on the public highway. This is because the courts are better placed to deal with the matter.