Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s monitoring of traffic following a road re-design. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has failed to monitor the impact that a road re-design has had on the road and those surrounding it. He says this has caused his street to become more congested during rush hours.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. Mr X complained to the Council that it has not monitored and managed the impact of a road re-design on the surrounding roads, including the street he lives on.
6. The Council explained the street is within Transport For London (TFL)’s road network.
7. The Council explained it has worked with TFL, but the work and all monitoring has been carried out by TFL.
8. The Council has shown in its response that it is aware of the work done by TFL regarding the traffic monitoring.
9. The Council has appropriately explained why it does not consider it needs to do any more in this regard.

Back to top

Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman