The council, as highway authority, has responsibility for maintaining the highway. This includes pavements and footpaths.
Trip hazards on pavements are a key concern at all times. The problems of weeds, standing water and ice tend to be more seasonal.
Pavements, particularly those built from paving slabs, can suffer very badly from vehicles parked on them. If you see a vehicle causing damage by being parked on a pavement, try and collect the vehicle details. This is so the council can recover the full cost of repairs to the pavement.
When work is being done to the highway, the organisation carrying out the works is responsible for providing a safe diversionary route. This is for both pedestrians and other traffic.
If you need to report any defects in the highway, pavements or footpaths visit our highway problem reporting page.
Private streets
A private street is a street that is not maintainable by the council. Streets that are unadopted are generally in a poorer condition than adopted streets. They are usually unmade (without a bituminous surface).
The responsibility for private streets lies with the street owners. These are often the people who live in properties on the street.
How do I report a private street that is unsafe?
This is usually the responsibility of the owner. If the problem is thought to be a danger (for example a deep hole in the road suddenly appearing) the council can arrange to make it safe. It can place barriers or road closures around the hazard. However, the permanent repairs need to be arranged by the owners.
How do I report a problem with gullies and drains on a private street?
If thought to be dangerous (for example a missing gully lid) the council will arrange to make the problem safe. Again, the owner will need to arrange the permanent repairs.
How do I get a private street adopted?
To get a street adopted the street must be constructed to adoptable standards. The costs of constructing a street to adoptable standards must be met by the street owners.
The council does not have a budget for this and cannot be of any financial help.
For more information on street adoption, please contact:
Tim Sowerbutts (Team Manager - Highway Development Services)
Tel: 01724 297458
Email tim.sowerbutts@northlincs.gov.uk.
Other information: