Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that there are insufficient passing places on her road and that residents leave their bins on the pavement after collection. The Council has taken action to address Ms X’s concerns and it is unlikely we could achieve anything more for her.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Ms X, complains a lack of passing places on her road has led to other motorists hitting and damaging her car. She also complains other residents along her road leave their bins on the pavement.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we believe it would not achieve any worthwhile outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I reviewed Ms X’s complaint and the Council’s response. I discussed the matter with Ms X and agreed to close the case.

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What I found

4. Ms X has raised concerns about the lack of passing places along her road for several years. The road is narrow and parked cars leave no designated places for vehicles to pass one another. This has resulted in several instances of damage to Ms X’s vehicle, which she relies on to get about. When Ms X complained in 2019 the Council confirmed it was looking at introducing waiting restrictions on the road to provide passing places. It has since confirmed it aims to go ahead with plans to implement the restrictions so they will be in place by mid-2020.
5. Ms X also complained residents along her road were leaving their bins on the pavement between collections. This makes it difficult for Ms X to get past. In response to Ms X’s complaint about this issue the Council sent officers to speak with the residents and Ms X reports the issue has improved.
6. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. The Council has acted on Ms X’s requests and Ms X is satisfied with its actions to address her concerns. It is therefore unlikely further investigation would achieve anything more for Ms X.

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Final decision

7. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. This is because Ms X is satisfied with the Council's actions and it is unlikely we could achieve anything more for her.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman