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Report a problem on a road or pavement

Call our 24 hour highways line to report hazards, obstructions and dangerous situations which could cause injury or damage.

If you don't need to report a dangerous or hazardous situation, please report the problem online.

By using our online services instead of calling or emailing, you're helping us cut down on administration costs - savings that go straight into delivering essential highways services.

Keeping you informed

Let us update you on the progress of your enquiry

You can:

  • note the reference number you're given and use it to track the progress
  • provide a valid email address and we will send updates to your inbox as the enquiry is progressed

(*not applicable to all services listed)

Dealing with enquiries

We review all reports and enquiries we receive

We aim to:

  • review and deal with issues in priority order
  • attend the most hazardous situations to repair or make safe within 32 hours
  • resolve most enquiries within 28 days, though, regrettably, some complex enquiries may take longer
  • keep you up-to-date when resolution is taking longer than expected
  • inform you when the matter is complete or no further action is required

Sometimes we may:

  • not be able to action or resolve your enquiry
  • need to refer enquiries or issues to third parties outside of the council

In these instances, we should tell you when we do this and explain why.

If you do not hear from us, or when you do, you require further information, you can follow-up enquiries online.

Please note:

  • street lighting maintenance is provided by 'Enerveo' on behalf of the council and different service level agreements may apply
  • traffic signal maintenance (permanent signal and crossings sites only, not including temporary signals) is provided by 'Yunex Traffic' on behalf of the council and different service level agreements may apply

Complaints and claims

Sometimes, things go wrong. If they do, we might be able to help.

Our customer promise tells you the level of service you can expect from us.

When you're unhappy with our service

It's best to let us try and resolve the situation first, before escalating a complaint.

If you have reported something and given us the chance to rectify the situation, but you feel we've fallen short of our commitments to you, you may be entitled to make a complaint.

Damage and personal injuries

If you have suffered damage to your property, vehicle or sustained a personal injury because of a defect on one of our roads, footways or rights of way, you may want to make a claim.

Other organisations to contact

We are happy to help with enquiries and issues on local county roads in Dorset

The council is responsible for handling enquiries on highways maintained at public expense; including public roads, pavements and verges in the Dorset Council area.

Roads in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Dorset Council is not responsible for roads, pavements and verges in the unitary authority of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.

You must contact BCP Council if you need to report or enquire something about these roads.

Trunk roads

The council is not responsible for trunk roads.

National Highways are responsible for the A31, A35 west of Bere Regis and the A303 at Bourton.

You must contact National Highways if you need to report or enquire something about these roads.

Private roads

The council is not responsible for private (unadopted) roads.

If there is a problem on a private road, you will need to identify the landowner(s) and report it to them.

If you have any problems reporting the issue online, please try other ways to contact us.