London Borough of Lewisham (23 011 137)
Category : Transport and highways > Traffic management
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 23 Apr 2024
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about speed cameras. This is because we cannot add to the investigation carried out by the Council or achieve the outcome that the complainant seeks. Also, there are other bodies better placed to deal with the issues raised.
The complaint
- Mr X complains that the Council has failed to turn on speed cameras in its area. He says that vehicles are speeding on local roads and wants the Council to turn the cameras on.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide:
- we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation, or
- we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants, or
- there is another body better placed to consider this complaint.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complained to the Council that speed cameras in its area were not switched on and that it was not enforcing speed restrictions in the area. The Council checked and found that the operation of the cameras in question was the responsibility of TfL. The Council said that it is the Police and not the Council that is responsible for enforcing speed restrictions.
- I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. We could not add to the Council’s response or achieve the outcome he seeks as the Council are not responsible for the cameras or the enforcement of speed restrictions. The Police are better placed to deal with Mr X’s complaint that speed restrictions are not being enforced and TfL are better placed to consider his complaint about speed cameras that are not functioning.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we cannot add to the Council’s investigation or achieve the outcome he seeks and because other bodies are better placed to consider the issues he has raised.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman