How to Report Unsafe Pavements in County Durham

A cracked slab, a lifted flag, or a broken edge can turn an ordinary walk into a real hazard. If you live in County Durham, the good news is that there’s a clear way to flag the problem and push for action.

The key is to report it early and give the council enough detail to find the exact spot. That matters even more when the issue affects older residents, parents with prams, wheelchair users, or anyone walking in poor light.

If the pavement is blocked by parked vehicles, overgrown hedges, or surface damage, treat it as more than a nuisance. It’s a safety issue, and it should be reported properly.

Spot the pavement problems that need reporting

Not every rough patch needs urgent action, but some defects are hard to ignore. Uneven slabs, loose flags, open gaps, sunken sections, and broken kerbs can all trip people up.

Standing water can hide the damage. So can poor lighting. If the route feels unsafe for a child’s scooter, a walking frame, or a pram, it’s worth reporting.

Durham County Council’s roads and pavements page is a useful starting point for faults across the network. The council’s potholes reporting page also covers surface defects that may affect pavements as well as roads.

If someone could fall or miss a step within minutes, treat it as urgent and phone rather than waiting for an online form.

Blocked access matters too. If parked cars are forcing people into the road, that belongs in the report. Our guide on reporting dangerous pavement parking in Durham explains how that kind of obstruction fits into the wider picture.

The quickest way to report unsafe pavements in County Durham

Durham County Council says the fastest direct route is its Highways Action Line. For urgent or immediate danger, ring 0191 370 6000. For less urgent faults, use the council’s road fault report form and send the details online.

Here’s a simple way to choose the right route:

Reporting route	Best for	What to include
Phone the Highways Action Line	Immediate danger or a serious trip hazard	Exact location, what’s wrong, and why it’s urgent
Use the council’s online fault form	Clear defects that need logging and follow-up	Street name, nearest house number, photos, and a short description

The phone route works well when a child, older person, or wheelchair user could be put at risk straight away. The online form is better when you want to add photos or report a problem in full.

Keep your description short and factual. The council needs the street, the nearest landmark, and the type of fault. If you can, say how high the raised slab is, how wide the gap is, or whether the surface is breaking apart.

A report that says “outside 18 Front Street, opposite the bus stop, one slab has lifted” is far more useful than “the pavement is bad”. Precision saves time.

What to include so the council can act faster

A good report is like a clear map. It points straight to the hazard and leaves little room for doubt.

Include these details:

• the exact street name
• the nearest house number, shop, or bus stop
• what the defect looks like, such as a broken slab, hole, or raised edge
• whether the hazard is on a main walking route
• whether there’s a real risk to pedestrians, prams, or wheelchairs
• photos taken in daylight if possible

If the pavement problem keeps coming back, mention that too. Repeated damage can point to drainage issues, tree roots, or a poor repair that needs a proper fix.

Sometimes the problem is not the slab alone. Overgrown hedges can squeeze people into the road, especially on narrow paths. In those cases, our guide to reporting overgrown hedges blocking footpaths shows how access issues and surface hazards often overlap.

Keep a record and follow up

Once you’ve reported the fault, write down the date, time, and reference number. That gives you something to quote if the issue is still there later.

If the pavement gets worse, follow up with fresh photos. The council may need that extra detail to see how the hazard has changed. A new crack, a wider gap, or a deeper dip can turn a routine repair into a priority job.

If the path borders private land, the council may not own the repair. In that case, the landowner or managing agent may need to take action. Even then, reporting it still helps create a record.

For busy routes near schools, shops, or bus stops, don’t wait for someone else to complain. A prompt report can stop a minor defect becoming a serious fall.

Conclusion

Unsafe pavements in County Durham are not just an eyesore. They are a daily risk for people who need safe, level walking routes. The best response is simple, report the fault early, give clear details, and follow up if nothing changes.

If the problem is caused by parked cars, hedges, or repeated surface failure, mention that in the same report. Councils work faster when they get the full picture, not just a vague complaint.

Local people deserve streets and pavements that are safe to use, and that takes proper accountability. If you want that kind of change, Join Reform UK, Vote Reform UK, and help Make Britain Great Again.