The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s introduction of temporary traffic schemes in 2021. The complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.
The complaint
Mr X complained about the Council’s introduction of a traffic management scheme in the area where he lives. He says the measures are unsatisfactory and that better alternatives could have been considered.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained about alterations which were made to the traffic system in the area where he lives. He said the measures were unsuitable and that the engineering works and bollards should be removed. He told the Council in March 2021 that he disagreed with the measures and that schemes in the past had proved unsuitable.
The Council told Mr X that the schemes were introduced after the area was identified as one with a significantly higher accident history. They were subject to road safety audits and were introduced with monitoring for a year when the accident data would be reviewed.
Mr X did not bring his complaint to our attention until July 2022 which is outside the 12-month period since he became aware of the introduction of the scheme. there is no evidence to suggest that he could not have complained to us sooner.
Final decision
We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s introduction of temporary traffic schemes in 2021. The complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman