The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about faded road markings. The injustice is not significant enough to warrant investigation.
The complaint
Mrs X complains about faded lines on a road and is concerned about the safety of potential pedestrians. Mrs X is concerned about vehicle and pedestrian safety. Mrs X wants the Council to repaint the markings.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mrs X.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Although I recognise road safety is important to Mrs X, I do not consider there has been significant enough personal injustice to Mrs X, directly caused by the Council’s inactions, to warrant the Ombudsman devoting time and public money to investigation. We will normally only investigate a complaint where the complainant has suffered serious loss, harm or distress, because of the Council’s actions or inactions.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the injustice is not significant enough to warrant investigation.
Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman