Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the management of roadworks near his home. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We consider the complainant has not suffered a significant personal injustice which warrants our involvement.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about maladministration of the permit(s) for roadworks with temporary traffic lights near his home in for five days in July.
2. He says the roadworks with temporary traffic lights caused traffic chaos in the area. And at peak times, added between 15 and 60 minutes additional travel time to his journeys.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mr X.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate X’s complaint. I understand Mr X experienced delays in journeys to and from his home for five days while the temporary traffic lights and roadworks were in place. However, while this was inconvenient and frustrating, I do not consider he suffered a significant personal injustice which warrants an investigation.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman