Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to place a pedestrian crossing near to Mr X’s home. Any complaint about this is late and there are no good reasons why it could not have been made to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained because the Council would not place a pedestrian crossing near to where he lives. He said this means he has a dangerous journey to cross the roadway, and he now wants the Council to take action.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X provided information about his contact with the Council in 2016 and 2017, about his concerns relating to the road layout near where he lives. He asked the Council look at installing a pedestrian crossing or consider installing dropped kerbs, for an unofficial crossing.
5. We will not investigate this complaint because it is now very late and there are no good reasons why Mr X could not have complained much sooner.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons why it could not have been made sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman