A curbstone on a pavement near to my house is loose and has turned in its setting causing me to trip over it. Who can I speak to about this?
You can report pavements in disrepair online or telephone us on 0300 200 1003.
The pavement in my road is uneven and dangerous. How do you inspect the pavements and how often are they repaired?
All roads and pavements are subject to regular safety inspections and, where safety hazards are noted, repair work is carried out as a priority. We have a planned pavement maintenance programme where work is completed on a consistent basis countywide. See
Maintaining our roads and pavements for further details.
You have recently repaired the pavement outside my house but the work is very poor. Can the work be re-done?
We check all works as they are being carried out and after the job has been completed. If the work is not carried out to the required standard we will instruct the contractor to carry out remedial works at their own cost.
A company have left building materials and equipment on the pavement and verge after doing some work. How can I get it removed?
Our engineers carry out inspections on each of our completed jobs to ensure that the site is left clear and tidy. If you believe that this has not happened on a site where Surrey County Council have carried out work, you can let us know by completing our on
line reporting form. If the work has been carried out by someone else e.g. a utility company or a housing contractor, please contact them direct.
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The pavement is slippery due to moss, can this be cleared?
You can report pavements in disrepair online or telephone us on 0300 200 1003.
Overgrown nettles and brambles mean that the pavement on the way to school is narrow and this means we have to walk on the road. Is it possible for you to clear this please?
You can report overgrown vegetation on line or telephone us on 0300 200 1003.
The trees along the pavements in my road have lots of growth at the base which blocks access and I have to walk in the road. Who do I ask to cut this back?
Trees on private property are the responsibility of the landowner. They must ensure that their trees do not pose a threat to pavement or road. Trees on the roadside verge are our responsibility and should be reported to us online or by telephone on 0300 200 1003.
I have difficulty in walking on the pavement outside the local café due to tables and chairs being placed there. Can they be moved?
Cafés have to apply for a licence to have chairs, tables and signs outside their property, and should leave at least a 1.2m width of pavement for people to pass. You can let us know about any obstruction that is blocking a pavement by completing our online reporting form.
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Can I clear ice and snow from pavements and paths myself without fear of legal action?
Yes, you can, but there are some important tips to bear in mind before you do this.
Clearing snow and ice from pavements and public spaces
This guide is designed to help you to act in a neighbourly way by safely clearing snow and ice from pavements and public spaces.
Will I be held liable if someone falls on a path I have cleared?
There is no law preventing you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces.
It is very unlikely that you would face any legal liability, as long as you are careful, and use common sense to ensure that you do not make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before. People using areas affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.
What can I do to help clear snow and ice from pavements and public spaces?
Practical advice from highway engineers is given below. This is not a comprehensive list.
- Start early: it is much easier to remove fresh, loose snow compared to compacted ice that has been compressed by people walking on it.
- Do not use hot water. This will melt the snow, but may replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury.
- Be a good neighbour: some people may be unable to clear snow and ice on paths leading to their property or indeed the footway fronting their property. Snowfall and cold weather pose particular difficulties for them gaining access to and from their property or walking to the shops.
- If shovelling snow, consider where you are going to put it, so that it does not block people’s paths, or block drainage channels. This could shift the problem elsewhere.
- Make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then you can shovel the snow from the centre to the sides.
- Spreading some salt on the area you have cleared will help to prevent any ice forming. Table salt or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it. A few grams (a tablespoon) for each square metre you clear should work. The salt found in salting bins will be needed for keeping roads clear.
- Particular care and attention should be given to steps and steep gradients to ensure snow and ice is removed. You might need to apply additional salt to these areas.
- Use the sun to your advantage. Removing the top layer of snow will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath; however you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight.
- If there is no salt available, then a little sand or ash is a reasonable substitute. It will not have the same de-icing properties as salt but should offer grip under foot.
