• Oil spills
• Mud/Debris
• Encroachment
• Unauthorised signage
• Dischage of water onto highway
• Manhole Cover
• Overhanging trees, branches or hedges
• Fallen trees and branches

See also: roads - maintenance I pavements - obstructions I  pavements - maintenance

Oil Spills

If there is a significant spillage of oil/fuel upon the highway this should be reported to Council Connect for inspection.

Mud/Debris

In the event of excess debris on the public highway please report the details, including an exact description the obstruction and where it is, to Council Connect for investigation by a Highway Inspector.

Encroachment

Any obstruction on the public highway must be appropriately licensed by Bath and North East Somerset council. Any unlicensed obstruction is an encroachment of the highway and should be reported to Council Connect for investigation.

Unauthorised signage

Placing an illegal sign is an encroachment on the public highway.

If a person without lawful authority or excuse in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway, they are guilty of an offence. In such cases the Council has legal powers to enforce the removal of all illegal signs.

Discharge of water onto the highway

If significant water is illegally discharging on to the highway this should be reported to Council Connect for investigation.

Manhole Cover

If a manhole cover is causing an obstruction, collapsing, missing or dropped into its hole, and so is a danger to people using the highway, this must be reported immediately to Council Connect.

The majority of manholes are not Bath and North East Somerset council's responsibility; however, we will inspect and pass to the relevant utility company for repair.

Overhanging trees, branches or hedges

Hedges and trees that grow on the boundary of the highway or on adjacent land but overhang the highway are generally the responsibility of the adjoining property or land owner. Bath and North East Somerset council only intervene if there is a safety concern associated with the hedge.

In the event that the landowner does not remove obstructions due to overhanging trees or protruding hedges/plants after enforcement, the Authority may remedy the problem and recharge the landowner.

To report an overhanging vegetation obstruction on the highway please contact Council Connect for inspection.

Fallen trees and branches

If a tree or branch has fallen and is obstructing the highway please report it to Council Connect via the details given at the bottom of the page.

For trees that have fallen into telephone lines please contact British Telecom on 0800 800 151.

For trees that fallen into power lines please contact Western Power Distribution on 0800 365 900.