- When will you fix the potholes in my road?
- Why hasn’t the highways department carried out the repair that I reported?
- Will you fix a pot hole on a trunk road or motorway?
- When will you fix the damage and subsidence in the pavement?
- Can I have a pram/wheel chair crossing?
- Why can’t the Parish Steward do major repairs?
- A repair carried out by a utility is poor. Can you make them repair it again?
- What causes pot holes?
- Can I have a new grit bin and can you fill up an existing grit bin?
- Why don’t you grit my road during the winter?
- Why don’t you put more salt down when you grit the roads?
- Why don’t you sweep our roads in the rural area?
- Can you fix a rocking manhole cover?
- How often do you clean out drains and gully?
- Will you dig out a blocked roadside ditch?
- Can you cut back an overgrown hedge?
- Can you cut back an overgrown tree?
- The grass is getting long. What is the rural grass cutting policy?
- Can you stop cutting the rural verges because of insects and wild flowers?
- Can you remove stones and other obstructions from the verge?
- Can you repair a damaged verge?
- Farm vehicles are leaving mud on the road, can you clean it?
- Can you clear ragwort before it spreads?
- Can you fix a broken bollard?
- Can you repair a faulty traffic signal?
- Can you repair a faulty street light?
- Can I have a mirror opposite my drive?
- Can I claim compensation for loss of business because of a road closure?
- Can I put an ‘A’ board on the pavement outside my shop?
- Can I have a sign to stop satellite navigation users driving down my road?
- Can I have a disabled parking bay outside my house?
- Can you replace my street name plate?
When will you fix the potholes in my road?
The county’s road network is inspected regularly by a specialist team, with the more important roads being inspected more often. Any defects and potholes found are categorised so that the most dangerous are repaired within one working day, or protected by warning signs and barriers. The less serious defects are usually included on a programme for treatment when the repair teams are in the area. Where there are smaller defects a repair may not be justified and the road condition will continue to be monitored.
Potholes can appear between inspections, and you can report these through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from Mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
The highways department team will pass the details to the local highways office so that the site can be inspected. This helps to keep our roads safe, and enables the most serious potholes to be dealt with as a priority.
Further information about the inspection of the road network and the prioritising of the repair of defects can be found on the Highways inspection frequencies page.
Why hasn’t the highways department carried out the repair that I reported?
The highways department team do not carry out the repair. They help the public to report highway or street lighting defects with a free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or by using the our website. On receiving a report, the highways department passes the details to the relevant council staff, or to the appropriate external organisation.
The most serious defects are dealt with immediately, but less serious defects are usually included on a programme for treatment when the repair teams are in the area. Where there are smaller defects a repair may not be justified and the road condition will continue to be monitored.
If requested the highways department team can also keep you informed of the outcome of any inspection or investigation following a report.
Will you fix a pot hole on a trunk road or motorway?
The Highways Agency is responsible for the M4, A303, A36 and A419. The council is not responsible for the maintenance of these roads
You can contact the Highway Agency by
- Email: ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk
- Telephone: 08457 504030 or 01213 358300
- Or you can visit the Highways Agency for more information
When will you fix the damage and subsidence in the pavement?
The council inspects the footways regularly, with the busiest routes having monthly walked inspections. The most dangerous defects are repaired within one working day, or protected by warning signs and barriers. The less serious defects are usually included on a programme for treatment when the repair teams are available or in the area. Where there are smaller defects a repair may not be justified and the footway condition will continue to be monitored.
Potholes, uneven surfaces, rocking paving slabs and damage caused by vehicles mounting the footway can appear between inspections. These defects can be reported through the highways department by using the free phone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
The highways department team will pass the details to the local highways office so that they can arrange an inspection of the site and take the appropriate action. This helps to keep our pavements safe, and enables the most serious defects to be dealt with as a priority.
Further information about inspection frequencies and categories of defects can be found on the highways inspection frequencies page.
Can I have a pram or wheel chair crossing?
The funding for dropped kerbs for pram and wheelchair crossings is limited, and it is necessary to prioritise sites. Those areas with the busiest footways are usually treated as the first priority.
It is suggested that any request for dropped kerbs is initially made to your Town or Parish Council. They can coordinate the requests and pass them to the Area Board for consideration.
Why can’t the Parish Steward do major repairs?
The work carried out by the Parish Stewards is largely determined by themselves, with input from the local highways team. They find and fix defects during their programmed visits to particular areas. Town and Parish Councils have an important role to play in feeding work into the steward’s programme as they act as a focal point for reports of highway defects from their parishioners and they also have a vast amount of useful local knowledge.
The Parish Stewards only carry small plant and hand tools so are unable to carry out major works. However, if they identify work which is beyond their capability they can to arrange for repairs to be carried out by a specialist team, or they can pass it to an experienced highway officer for further investigation and works programming as necessary.
- Find out more about the Parish Steward scheme
A repair carried out by a public utility (such as a gas or electricity company) is poor. Can you make them repair it again?
Utility companies have to reinstate their excavations in accordance with a nationally agreed specification. However, they are allowed to make an initial temporary reinstatement of an excavation, and then they have six months to make a permanent repair.
If the reinstatement does not comply with the specified tolerance levels, the company can be served with a defect notice by the council. They would be charged for this, and would have to carry out the required remedial works.
All reinstatement works carried out by utility companies within the highway carry a minimum two year guarantee. A defective trench can be reported through the highways department by using the free phone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
- Report a defective repair
- Find out the latest traffic reports and contact details of utility companies
What causes pot holes?
Road conditions are affected by a number of factors including the weather, and the recent winters have had an adverse effect on road conditions, causing more damage than usual.
The underlying geology can create significant differences in conditions across the county, with some ground providing a better foundation than others. As a result roads in some areas can be more prone to problems and potholes.
The council has recently been making significant investment in bringing the road network up to standard, and is targeting repairs at those roads in worst conditions.
Can I have a new grit bin and can you fill up an existing grit bin?
Requests for new grit bins should be passed to your Town or Parish Council.
During bad weather the grit bins are inspected regularly, and the Town and Parish Councils often advise their local area highways office when bins need refilling or repair.
Wiltshire Council will endeavour to keep the bins filled, subject to other priorities on the highway network, but during very extreme weather operating snow ploughs and keeping the main roads open may have to take precedence.
Further information on winter maintenance, and the precautionary gritting routes in the county can be found on our road gritting and snow clearance page.
Why don’t you grit my road during the winter?
With such a large road network, it would be unrealistic and uneconomical to attempt to treat all of the roads in Wiltshire. The council has a network of important routes that routinely receive precautionary salting treatment when ice is forecast.
This network comprises all motorways, trunk roads, class A and B roads, and some of the more important lower class roads. This ensures the majority of road users live within a reasonable distance of a salted road.
If temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing after the morning rush, or during periods of prolonged bad weather, a larger proportion of the network may be salted. This additional network includes lower class roads serving housing estates and main accesses to villages and hamlets.
You should never assume that a road has been treated because arrangements may not go according to plan, and in some extreme conditions salt may not be effective.
Please take extra care when driving in winter conditions.
Further information on winter maintenance, and the precautionary gritting routes in the county can be found on our road gritting and snow clearance page.
Why don’t you put more salt down when you grit the roads?
Spreading too much salt pollutes watercourses, can damage street signs and bollards, and is expensive.
Wiltshire Council’s fleet of winter maintenance vehicles is regularly serviced, and the equipment is calibrated and tested to ensure the optimum amount of salt is spread.
The salt the Council uses is 6.3 mm salt, which is more effective and does not bounce as much as larger material when being spread. It ranges from 0.3 mm to 6.3 mm in size, with 56% being less than 2.36 mm. The use of this size salt reduces the risk of damage to windscreens and vehicles.
Further information on winter maintenance, and the precautionary gritting routes in the county can be found on our road gritting and snow clearance page.
Why don’t you sweep our roads in the rural areas?
Usually routine sweeping of roads only takes place on those carriageways that have kerbs. Un-kerbed carriageways are swept when a build up of detritus could create a hazard to the highway user.
With a network of approximately 3,000 kilometres of un-kerbed roads it would not be practical or a good use of resources to routinely sweep them all when in many rural areas it would be of little appreciable benefit.
You can report safety problems at particular sites through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website so that the site can be inspected.
More information on street cleaning and how to report a problem can be found on our street care and cleaning page
Can you fix a rocking manhole cover?
Manhole covers within the highway are often the responsibility of a public utility or a private company.
Rocking or noisy covers can be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website. The council will inspect the site and repair the cover or advise the utility company or owner involved.
How often do you clean out drains and gullies?
There is an annual programme gully cleaning during which most drains and gullies are attended to. However, some gullies are more prone to becoming blocked than others because of their location and may have to be cleaned more frequently. It should be noted that some water is often visible in the gully. This is normal and does not mean it is blocked
Blocked gullies or drains can be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
In many urban areas cleaning gullies can be difficult because of on street parking, and your cooperation is appreciated in helping us to get access to these gullies when required.
Will you dig out a blocked roadside ditch?
Most roadside ditches are the responsibility of the adjoining land owner and it is the owner’s responsibility to keep them clear.
The council can write to landowners to remind them of their obligations, but often a request from the local Parish or Town Council can be more effective as they are often seen as a neighbourly reminder, highlighting the individual’s responsibilities within the community. An initial approach to the Town or Parish Council may be helpful as they usually have vast local knowledge and contacts.
If the problem cannot be resolved locally, the highway authority can write to the landowner requesting that work is carried out to remove an obstruction of the watercourse. The council can serve notice requiring the work to be carried out.
Can you cut back an overgrown hedge?
Most hedges adjacent to roads and pavements are privately owned and are the responsibility of the land owner, who must prevent their hedges obstructing the highway.
The council can write to landowners to remind them of their obligations, but often a request from the local Parish or Town Council can be more effective as they are often seen as a neighbourly reminder, highlighting the individual’s responsibilities within the community. An initial approach to the Town or Parish Council may be helpful as they usually have vast local knowledge and contacts.
If the problem cannot be resolved locally, the highway authority can write to the landowner requesting that work is carried out to remove an obstruction of the highway. The council can serve notice under the Highways Act 1980 requiring the work to be carried out.
Overgrown hedges can be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
Can you cut back an overgrown tree?
Most trees are privately owned and land owners have a responsibility to maintain their trees to ensure highway users have unobstructed passage. The minimum height clearance required above a carriageway is 16’ 6”.
The council can write to landowners to remind them of their obligations, but often a request from the local Parish or Town Council can be more effective as they are often seen as a neighbourly reminder, highlighting the individual’s responsibilities within the community. An initial approach to the Town or Parish Council may be helpful as they usually have vast local knowledge and contacts.
If the problem cannot be resolved locally, the highway authority can write to the landowner requesting that work is carried out to remove an obstruction of the highway. The council can serve notice under the Highways Act 1980 requesting that an overhanging or dangerous tree is removed.
The council has a programme of works to ensure that trees within the highway are maintained and kept safe.
Any overhanging or dangerous tree can be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
The grass is getting long. What is the rural grass cutting policy?
Grass verges on rural roads are generally cut at least twice a year. The first cut usually starts at the end of May and takes about six weeks, and the second cut usually takes place in October, but the timing and number of these cuts depends on weather and growth.
At junctions and some other locations the visibility splays are cut more often for safety reasons.
The verges are cut in order to maintain visibility at junctions and bends, to prevent traffic signs being obscured, to control brushwood and scrub, to reduce the risk of fire, and to maintain and enhance the biodiversity of the verges where compatible with road safety.
Can you stop cutting the rural verges because of insects and wild flowers?
Wiltshire Council cannot leave highway verges uncut as there are safety implications for pedestrians and motorists. However, some verges with special environmental value are treated differently.
The designation of protected verges has been developed by Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Biological Records Centre and considers the following:
- Rare and nationally scarce species
- Species rare or local to Wiltshire
- Verges linked to sites that form integral parts of National Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or County Wildlife Sites.
- Habitats - verges which are high quality examples of particular habitats.
- Geology - geological or a geomorphological feature forming part of a Site of Special Interest or County Geological Site, or including geological exposures or features recommended by the Wiltshire Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites Group, as being of conservation significance and worthy of special protection or management.
These have to be suitable for management, meet health and safety criteria, and not conflict with Wiltshire Council’s statutory duties regarding road safety.
If a particular verge appears to meet the criteria an inspection is made by an ecologist, and it is considered by a team from Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Biological Records Centre and the Council’s consultant Mouchel.
If you think a particular verge would satisfy the criteria, you can contact the highways department with the relevant details using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
- More information about grass cutting
Can you remove stones and other obstructions from the verge?
The public sometimes place stones or posts on verges to prevent parking or damage by vehicles. Under Section 149 of the Highways Act, the council has powers to remove obstructions from the highway if it they are deemed to be dangerous to the highway user.
Each location and its obstructions have to be considered in context. The action taken needs to be proportionate to the level of the considered risk, and in some cases the verges may not be part of the highway.
Can you repair a damaged verge?
In Wiltshire there are many rural locations where vehicles, in particular agricultural machinery and heavy goods vehicles, erode the verge on a regular basis.
The council does carry out programmes of verge strengthening where the problems are worse, however funding is limited and it is not possible to treat every site. The condition of rural verges is monitored, and repairs are carried out on the worst sites in the summer when the ground has dried out and repairs are more likely to be effective.
Drivers should take care on minor rural roads. The verges are not part of the running surface. They may be soft and should not be used by vehicles.
Farm vehicles are leaving mud on the road, can you clean it?
Farmers and vehicle operators who deposit mud on the road are potentially liable for a range of offences. They are responsible for preventing mud being deposited on the highway.
If the condition of the highway is considered dangerous, Wiltshire Council can provide temporary traffic signs to warn highway users of the hazard or may even consider closing the road.
The council will endeavour to contact the landowner. If the landowner cannot be contacted or is unwilling to clear the mud off of highway, Wiltshire Council can arrange for it to be removed and recover costs from the landowner under Section 149 of the Highways Act. In some cases it may be necessary to involve the Police.
Excessive mud on the road can be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
If you operate farm vehicles or machinery which could cause mud to be deposited on the highway, please read our mud on the highway guidance for farm vehicle operators
Can you clear Ragwort before it spreads?
Wiltshire Council is continuing to work hard to manage invasive species growing on highway land, and has had a history of success in dealing with them.
Since 2004 the council has recorded sites with Ragwort and Japanese Knotweed. The policy of Ragwort removal has been successful in many remote locations, and techniques have improved over the years. We now undertake a three visit programme injecting Japanese Knotweed at the 72 sites initially recorded, and at a further 26 locations discovered since.
Ragwort is now at a manageable level, and efforts are being increased to treat the Japanese Knotweed. It is hoped that Japanese Knotweed will be in a similar condition within a couple of years, and this will enable us to engage more vigorously with Himalayan Balsam, which is a lesser known species on our network.
The council’s highways maintenance team regard the removal of these invasive plants as an integral part of managing the large rural highway network.
Can you fix a broken bollard?
Broken bollards and damaged street furniture can be a hazard to the public. They are inspected and repaired, or protected by warning signs and barriers as appropriate.
Some equipment in the streets may belong to public utilities or other organisations, and the council will pass on the information to those responsible.
Can you repair a faulty traffic signal?
Wiltshire Council has a contractor who should attend a defective traffic signal within four hours for an emergency call, or eight hours for non-urgent repairs between 8 am and 6 pm from Monday to Friday.
Traffic signal faults should be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
- Report a faulty traffic signal
- Find out more about the maintenance of existing traffic signal equipment
Can you repair a faulty street light?
The council are responsible for the majority of street lighting within the county, including the maintenance of street lighting, illuminated traffic signs, illuminated bollards and associated equipment. However, some lighting may belong to the MoD or other organisations.
Faulty street lights can be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
Most repairs are carried out in daylight when it may be difficult to establish which light is faulty. When reporting a fault it would be helpful to have the following information available in order to get the unit identified and repaired quickly:
- What number is painted on the street lighting column?
- What road or street is it in?
- What is the fault?
It should be noted that some street lights are programmed to turn off between midnight and about 5.30am in order to reduce light pollution and save energy.
We aim to attend to emergencies within two hours and other faults are usually attended and repaired within five working days. Sometimes a fault is caused by the failure of the electricity supply, and in these cases the repair is not directly under the control of the council and the repair can take longer.
Can I have a mirror put up opposite my drive?
A mirror in the highway is not usually permitted. The road safety benefits of mirrors are not always clear. They can give a misleading image and can dazzle due to sunlight by day or headlights at night. In some circumstances they can create a hazard which could be struck by passing vehicles.
You could seek the co-operation of a neighbour to enable a mirror to be positioned opposite your access but clear of the highway. In this circumstance responsibility would not rest with the council in the event of an accident or any claim. There may be planning or other considerations which may apply in erecting a mirror on a property.
Can I claim compensation for loss of business because of a road closure?
As Highway Authority, Wiltshire Council has a statutory duty to protect the travelling public. On occasion this may require the temporary closure of roads or other restrictions of use.
When temporary road closures are implemented the duration will be kept to the minimum as far as practical, but in order to ensure the safety of the public and the workforce such closures are unavoidable in some circumstances.
There is no legal obligation or express statutory authority that enables the council to compensate for increased costs or any financial loss suffered as a result of a road closure, and for the Authority to make any such compensation payment would render it to be acting illegally.
Can I put an ‘A’ board on the pavement outside my shop?
Under the Highways Act 1980, it is illegal to place anything within the boundary of the public highway that will obstruct the passage of users, including pedestrians.
The footway is primarily for pedestrian use and is not meant to be an extension of a business premises or used for advertisement purposes.
There have been incidents where pedestrians have fallen over ‘A’ boards and where pedestrians, wheelchair users or pram users have had to go onto the carriageway to get around an obstruction. In such instances the person placing the obstruction on the footway could be liable.
Can I have a sign to stop satellite navigation users driving down my road?
The problem of larger vehicles using minor roads is appreciated. The potential problems of map based web sites and satellite navigation systems indicating inappropriate routes for some vehicles is a national issue which has been raised with the Department for Transport who are consulting on a review of the legislation regarding “in vehicle information systems”. The outcome of the consultation is awaited.
Signing minor roads to discourage their use by users of satellite navigation systems has been considered, but signing every inappropriate route would not be practical and is invariably ignored by satnav users.
Where there are significant safety problems, or where the width and status of a road is not immediately apparent, the council may give consideration to providing additional signs. However, funding is limited and it is necessary to prioritise signing improvements at sites with poor accident records.
Can I have a disabled parking bay outside my house?
The council can consider requests for disabled parking bays. There is a system in place so that requests are dealt with appropriately to ensure that the most deserving cases are provided with disabled parking space facilities.
An assessment by the occupational therapist in the council’s Department of Adult and Community Care is required. Following a recommendation for eligibility from the occupational therapist, the area highway office will visit the site to assess the practicalities of the location of a bay before arranging for the markings to be provided.
Can you replace my street name plate?
The council seeks to maintain a good standard of street nameplates, street naming and numbering systems, and to improve standards where necessary.
Damaged or missing street name plates can be reported through the highways department using the free phone telephone number 0800 232323 (01225 718012 from mobiles and from outside Wiltshire) or through our website.
Last updated: 19 January 2011
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