Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (25 029 873)
Category : Transport and highways > Traffic management
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 23 Jul 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to reports of a dangerous pedestrian crossing. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason Mr X did not complain to us sooner.
The complaint
- Mr X complained about the Council’s response to his reports of a dangerous pedestrian crossing. He said the Council passed him between departments and have done nothing in response.
- He said he uses the crossing regularly and it is dangerous. He wants the Council to review the safety of the junction and implement safety measures.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
- 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)
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 first complained to the Council in December 2024. In its response the Council said it would consider implementing a yellow box at the junction in the next financial year.
- Mr X made a further complaint when the Council had not implemented the yellow box. In its response the Council said there is consideration for wider configuration of the road network. Therefore, it would not make any changes until a decision on future road layout had been finalised. It confirmed it provided Mr X with a direct point of contact.
- We will not investigate this complaint. Mr X was aware of the substantive issue of the complaint in 2024 but did not complain to us until 2026. Mr X had the opportunity to bring the complaint to us in good time, and I see no good reason he did not make the complaint to us within 12 months.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason he did not complain to us sooner.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman