Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to introduce a traffic management scheme. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons why it could not have been made sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to introduce Low Traffic Neighbourhood’s (LTN’s). He said traffic and air pollution had worsened and it was disruptive to local businesses.

Back to top

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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. Mr X said he was concerned about the Council’s decision to implement LTN’s. The Council’s website said it had completed public consultation, and its Cabinet decided the LTN’s would remain in place, in October 2023. Therefore, we will not investigate this complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons why Mr X could not have made it to us sooner.

Back to top

Final decision

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

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman