Report potholes or a highway problem
We carry out regular inspections and maintenance to ensure our network is in good condition.
If you spot something wrong with our roads or any of the assets alongside them, you can report this to us with our online form or by calling.
You might report:
- a pothole
- a broken sign or barrier
- overgrown vegetation
- issues with Rights of Way
Reporting by phone
Some items need urgent attention and cannot be reported online.
Urgent items are:
- drain covers that are broken or missing
- footway/footpath with a slab missing
- highway bridges that are damaged or unsafe
- kerbs that are missing
- traffic signals or signal-controlled crossings where
- all traffic signals are out (not working)
- they are damaged, there is exposed wiring, or they have been vandalised
- the signal is stuck/not changing
- vegetation such as a fallen tree
- roads with issues such as
- flooding
- mud on the road
- spill oil/diesel
- drains
- blocked ditch causing flooding
- blocked flooding private property
- blocked flooding road/path
If you are reporting one of these items, please call:
- 0300 126 7000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
- 01604 651074 (all other times)
Reporting online
You can use the online form to report potholes, blocked drains or obstructions.
What we need to know from you
Help us locate the problem quicker by providing:
- images (if safe to do so - please do not put yourself at risk)
- your name and contact details (so we can contact you for further information if needed)
- WhatThreeWords or grid reference
If you are reporting a pothole, please also provide:
- approximate size and depth
- a description of the location, including any landmarks
Issues reported to us via our online form may not be reviewed for up to 5 working days.
How we will keep you updated
When the issue or defect has been assessed we will update the online report and send you emails until the report is closed.
Pothole response times
Response times vary significantly and can be dependent upon the type of road, the location and depth.
We categorise how urgent it is to repair the pothole depending on the risk it poses to the public. Sometimes, this means a pothole will be dealt with when routine maintenance is again carried out on that stretch of road.
Our response times for our busiest roads can be viewed below:
These are defects which fall within investigatory levels however they are deemed to carry a low level of risk, hence being given longer following the risk-based assessment undertaken by the Highway Safety Inspectors, for a repair to be undertaken.
These are defects which are deemed to carry more risk than P4 defects and hence require a speedier repair following the risk-based assessment undertaken by the Highway Safety Inspectors.
These are defects that, following the risk-based assessment undertaken by the Highway Safety Inspectors, require a repair within the 7 calendar day timeframe.
These are defects which pose a high risk and hence require a quicker response to repair following the risk-based assessment undertaken by the Highway Safety Inspectors. If in the judgement of the inspector the defect is considered to represent a significant or imminent hazard, repair or make safe within 24 hours. If the defect can only be made safe within 24 hours carry out permanent repairs as a P4 Repair.
Reporting other highways issues
The following issues should be reported to other teams or partners:
National Highways
National Highways maintains certain trunk roads in the area and issues should be reported directly to them.
Roads maintained by National Highways are:
- M1
- M45
- A5
- A14
- A43 between the M40 Junction 10 and M1 Junction 15a (from Northampton to the county boundary near Stamford is the Council)
- A45 between Thrapston and the M1 Junction 15 (from Junction 16 to the county boundary towards Dunchurch is the Council)
Highway Service Guide
This guide gives an overview of our highway service, which we deliver alongside our partner contractor Kier Highways.
Last updated 13 September 2024