Pavement Hazards

Areas Covered

• Hazards
• Theft of paving slabs
• Private streets
• How do I report a private street that is unsafe?
• How do I report a problem with gullies and drains on a private street?
• How do I get a private street adopted?
• Contact us

Hazards

Trip hazards on pavements are a key concern at all times whilst the problems of weeds, standing water and ice tend to be more seasonal. Trip hazards and other defects on pavements are addressed in the following priority order:

Priority Area	Defect Description
1	Slab movement, uneven ironwork, and potholes with a trip exceeding 20mm in busy urban area.
1	Depression greater than 25mm deep and less than 600mm in plan.
1	Cracking with a gap wider and deeper than 15mm.
1	Slab movement, uneven ironwork, and potholes with a trip exceeding 20mm in a lightly pedestrianised area.
2	Major cracking on busy footway (but with gap width/depth less than 15mm).
2	Overhanging vegetation.
2	Weed contamination of footway surface on busy footway.
2	Major cracking on less busy footway (but with gap width/depth less than 15mm).
2	Defective trenching with level difference exceeding 10mm.
3	Standing water (could be Priority 1 if on a busy urban footway and freezing conditions are anticipated).
3	Tarmac disintegration (fretting) with less than 20mm difference in level on urban footways.
3	Weed contamination of footway surface.

Pavements, particularly those constructed of paving slabs, can suffer very badly from overriding vehicles.

Please note: In the case of damage, it is important, if possible, to report the vehicle details/findings so that Haringey Council can recover the full cost of repairs to the pavement.

When works are being undertaken on the highway (including the pavement/footway), the organisation, which may include utility companies, carrying out those works is responsible for ensuring there is a safe diversionary route for pedestrians and other traffic and a satisfactory reinstatement.

Reporting the hazard

To report any problems, please use our report a problem page. Alternatively, use the contact details below.

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Theft of paving slabs

You can report an offender of pavement theft by either:

using the council's report a problem page or by using the contact details below.

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Private Streets

A private street is a street that is not maintainable by Haringey Council.

Streets that are unadopted are generally in a condition not meeting the standard of adopted streets. These are usually unmade (no bituminous surface) or setts (cobbles).

The responsibility for private streets lies with the street owners. These are usually the people who live on the street.

See the private streets / road adoption page for more information.

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How do I report a private street that is unsafe?

This is usually the responsibility of the owner (usually the frontager). If the problem is thought to be a 'danger' (for example a deep hole in the road suddenly appearing)

Haringey Council can arrange to make safe by placing barriers or road closures around the hazard. However, the permanent remedials are then to be carried out by the owner/s.

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How do I report a problem with gullies and drains on a private street?

If thought to be dangerous (for example missing gully lid) Haringey Council will arrange to make the problem safe and then the owner will need to make permanent remedials.

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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/residents.

Haringey Council does not have a budget for this and cannot be of any financial help.

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Contact us

To a report a pothole, please contact our Potholes Hotline:

Tel 020 8489 3993
Email potholes@haringey.gov.uk

If you have any other query regarding a footpath or pavement, please contact the Frontline Services Business Support team:

Tel 020 8489 1335
Email frontline@haringey.gov.uk

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