Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the introduction of a pedestrian and cycle zone. This is because his complaint is made late and I see no good reason why it could not have been made sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about a pedestrian and cycle lane introduced in 2020. He says the zone is unsafe and wants it removed.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. 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

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is made late. Mr X has known about the introduction of the pedestrian and cycle lane for several years and I see no good reason why he could not have complained to the Ombudsman sooner.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is made late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman