City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 007 794)

Statement Not upheld Highway adoption 25-Mar-2022

Summary: X complained about how the Council acted in adopting their land as highway maintainable at public expense. X said the Council’s decision caused significant injustice including interfering with their legal land rights and denying them a commercial opportunity. We considered further investigation would not provide X with a meaningful outcome for their complaint. We discontinued our investigation.

West Berkshire Council (21 017 495)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway adoption 16-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council giving him incorrect information about the adopted status of a road in 2017, which he says influenced his decision to buy his house and the price he paid. Mr X’s complaint amounts to a claim of negligence by the Council causing him financial loss, which are legal matters only a court can decide. It is reasonable for Mr X to pursue the matter in court, which is the body best placed to make findings on legal issues. We also cannot achieve the outcomes Mr X seeks.

West Berkshire Council (21 013 795)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway adoption 24-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s search advice about the status of a road outside Ms X’s property in 2007. This was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Ms X could not have complained to us sooner.

Nottinghamshire County Council (20 014 351)

Statement Not upheld Highway adoption 09-Dec-2021

Summary: We found the Council did not act with fault in refusing to use its powers to stop maintaining a public road next to Mr X’s property.

London Borough of Hounslow (21 010 425)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway adoption 18-Nov-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway adoption. Mr X says this dispute has been going on for 25 years. The law says we should not consider late complaints. Mr X should have complained to us within 12 months of becoming aware of the issue.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (21 010 154)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway adoption 17-Nov-2021

Summary: We shall not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about matters related to whether she put rocks on the adopted highway. It is for the courts, not the Ombudsman, to decide whether the land in question is part of the adopted highway. In that context, Mrs X’s concerns about the Council’s handling of the matter are not significant enough in themselves to investigate.

Lancashire County Council (21 009 976)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway adoption 12-Nov-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a highway obstruction. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify our investigation.

Coventry City Council (21 000 235)

Statement Not upheld Highway adoption 26-Sep-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about an installed vehicle access crossing at his property. He is unhappy with the width and position of the crossing. We find no fault with how the Council built his vehicle access crossing.

Hertfordshire County Council (21 005 821)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Highway adoption 12-Sep-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a request for additional parking regulations. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Cheshire West & Chester Council (21 005 092)

Statement Upheld Highway adoption 09-Sep-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to fell trees and remove bushes on the complainant’s land. The Council has apologised for the frustration and distress its actions caused. It has offered to replant two trees and care for them for two years. This is a suitable remedy and further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.