This page is for street lighting, illuminated bollard or illuminated signs emergencies.
If you are unsure whether the fault you are reporting is an emergency, please check our What is an emergency? section to find out what we consider to be an emergency.
- How do I report an emergency?
- What information will I need to provide to report an emergency?
- How long will it take for us to attend?
- Underground cables emergencies
- What is an emergency?
How do I report an emergency?
Please call us immediately on 0300 200 1003 immediately to report an emergency. Please do not report emergencies online.
To report a fault that is not an emergency, please use our online reporting system for street lights, illuminated signs and bollards.
What information will I need to provide?
Please provide the following information when reporting an emergency
- Details of type of damage to the street light, illuminated sign or bollard
- Address details (road name, Town or Village name and postcode)
- Details of any building or landmarks close by
- Number on column (for street lights only. This is normally on the lamp post approximately two meters from the ground facing the road. Old street light may not always have a number.)
- Your name and telephone number so that we may contact you to clarify the location if we cannot find it
How long will it take for us to attend?
We will respond to all emergency faults within two hours.
Underground cable emergencies
If anyone strikes, hits or breaks an underground cable, they must contact either UK Power Networks PLC or Scottish and Southern Energy PLC as appropriate. Please do not report these to Surrey County Council. Cable strikes are the responsibility of whoever caused the damage.
- UKPN: 0800 783 8866
- SSE: 0800 072 7282
What is an emergency?
The following types of damage are considered to be emergencies.
| Damage type | Street lighting | Illuminated signs | Illuminated bollards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knocked over | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Street lighting column leaning 20 degrees or more | Yes | No | No |
| Lantern spun round more than 30 degrees | Yes | No | No |
| Bracket hanging off | Yes | No | No |
| Badly bent | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bracket fallen off | Yes | No | No |
| Broken into pieces | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lantern hanging | Yes | No | No |
| Loose in ground/island | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lantern fallen off | Yes | No | No |
| Bowl hanging | Yes | No | No |
| Inspection door missing / wires exposed | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sparking / smoking / on fire | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sign light fallen off | No | Yes | No |
| Leaning badly (over 20 degrees for signs) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sign light hanging off or fallen off | No | Yes | No |
| So much graffiti the sign cannot be seen | No | Yes | Yes |
| No entry signed turned round wrong way | No | Yes | No |
| Bollard turned round wrong way (so sign not visible) | No | No | Yes |
| Ground light open / wires exposed | No | No | Yes |
| Missing | No | No | Yes |
| Turned round wrong way | No | No | Yes |
Glossary
- Bowl: The polycarbonate section at the bottom of the lantern through which the light shines
- Lantern: The major component at the top of the street light in which the lamp sits
- Bracket: The 'arm' that holds the lantern to the main street light 'shaft'
- Inspection door: The access panel at the base of the column
