Unsafe canal barriers in housing
Inadequate or absent safety barriers near canals in housing developments, leading to child deaths.
Source spread
Where this theme appears
This theme appears across 5 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
13 PFD reports
1 committee rec
2 IMB recs
1 IMB report
57 LGO/SPSO decisions
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Prevention of Future Deaths reports(13)
Sidney Martin
Concerns: The dangerous condition of canal bridge steps and poor lighting in the area pose a significant risk to public safety.
Response (Canal River Trust): The Canal & River Trust acknowledges the coroner's report regarding a death at Gallows Footbridge in Skipton, extends condolences, and states that public safety is their highest priority. They describe …
Overdue
Adam Miles
Concerns: The hotel allowed smoking near the canal without adequate barriers to prevent falls, and the canal itself lacked any means of escape for individuals who fell in.
Response (Hilton Hotel): The hotel has posted signage about the lack of smoking area on the canal side and risks of deep water. They also plan to install a new CCTV unit on …
Response (Canal and River Trust): The Canal & River Trust proposes placing two additional life rings on the side of the basin closest to the hotel and placing additional "Danger deep water" signs at locations …
Overdue
Casper Blackburn
Concerns: Extremely poor lighting and lack of CCTV near the canal made it difficult to discern the water from the land at night, posing a significant safety risk.
Response: The Canal & River Trust states it has no jurisdiction or responsibilities regarding the Bridgewater Canal or the land at the location, which they believe is the responsibility of Peel …
Overdue
Matthew Willoughby
Concerns: A landlord failed to ensure safety adaptions, such as window restrictors, remained in place after a tenant removed them, despite prior safety advice. This created a serious ongoing risk to tenants.
Response (Landlord): The landlord confirms the adaptations to the windows in flat 10 have been replaced and all top floor flats windows have been checked for safety.
Responded
Philip Sheridan
Concerns: The landlord rented out a non-compliant cellar flat, raising concerns about similar hazards, including inadequate smoke detection and escape routes, in other properties. There is no ongoing duty for landlords to check smoke alarm effectiveness.
Response (Ministry of Housing Communities Local Government): The Ministry highlights existing powers for local authorities regarding planning enforcement and building regulations. They plan to introduce stronger enforcement powers as part of planning system reforms and are consulting …
Responded
Lorraine Karat
Concerns: Lack of a risk assessment for an unsafe, accessible balcony, inadequate communication regarding its use, and absence of safety barriers or window restrictors created a significant fall risk in housing properties.
Response (Clarion Housing Group): Clarion Housing Group is informing tenants that access to flat roofs is unauthorised and unsafe and issuing guidance to staff to identify flat roofs where unauthorised access might occur. Additional …
Responded
Tomi Solomon
Concerns: Inadequate safety measures on a popular bridge and surrounding area fail to deter dangerous activities by teenagers, creating a risk of future tragedies.
Overdue
Margaret Lewis
Concerns: Highway safety risks exist for pedestrians crossing a 60mph road from a canal towpath, compounded by quiet electric cars, earphone use, and sun glare, increasing accident reoccurrence.
Response (Canal River Trust): The Trust will install warning signage on both sides of 40 kissing gates (30 in Wales, 10 in England) along the Montgomery canal to alert towpath users to an upcoming …
Overdue
Hassan Zubair
Concerns: A signals controller failed to advise trains to proceed with caution, indicating a critical lapse in railway safety protocol.
Response (Network Rail): Network Rail enhanced the reporting system between Network Rail and MTR for Signallers to contact the station directly, allowing station staff to provide rapid assistance to individuals and workshops have …
Responded
Malika Hibu
Concerns: Peabody Housing Association failed to address an unsafe canal barrier, demonstrating a lack of boundary knowledge, neglected risk assessments, ignored resident complaints, and inaction on known safety hazards.
Response (Peabody Trust): Peabody has implemented emergency temporary fencing and developed proposals for permanent safety railings at the canal edge, while working with the London Borough of Islington and CRT/CIC for required approvals. …
Response (Islington Council): Islington Council is working with Peabody on a planning application for safety fencing around the canal side area of the Crest Buildings development. Urban design lessons from this incident have …
Response (Mayor of London Greater London Authority): The Mayor of London will consider the concerns raised in the PFD report through his review of the London Plan, with public consultation planned for the second half of 2025 …
Response (MHCLG): The government published an updated NPPF on 12 December 2024 that includes additional policy to consider the safety of children and other vulnerable users in proximity to open water, railways …
Responded
Sarah McGreevy
Concerns: Residents unsafely climb onto balconies to clear blocked drainpipes, posing a fall risk. The absence of remedial works means this dangerous practice is likely to continue.
Response (London Borough of Hackney): The Borough will publish a message in the January edition of 'Love Hackney' reminding residents not to use steps/ladders on balconies and to contact the repairs centre for guttering/pipework issues. …
Responded
Doreen Turner
Concerns: A residential cul-de-sac lacks adequate barriers and standard height kerbing at its end, allowing vehicles to repeatedly enter an adjacent canal, posing a significant safety risk.
Response (West Sussex County Council): West Sussex County Council describes plans to install additional infrastructure at the end of South Bank, including replacing a missing wooden post with way-markers and installing bollards with reflectors. These …
Responded
William Webb
Concerns: A canal near student accommodation lacks safety equipment and warning signage, making it difficult for inebriated individuals to exit the water if they fall in.
Overdue
IMB individual recommendations(2)
Foston Hall (2020)
Accommodation in D wing and the healthcare unit requires considerable improvement (see paragraph 5.1.2).
HMPPS
In Progress
Ford (2021)
As mentioned above, we are delighted that at last the wooden accommodation billets have been condemned and are emptied. However we fail to understand why action was not taken earlier in view of the complaints made over many years. The subsequent attempt to turn the pods into double accommodation was completely unrealistic and in the opinion of the Board would …
HMPPS
In Progress
LGO / SPSO decisions(57)
20-010-984 — London Borough of Hackney
Summary: Ms X complained the Council allowed her to live as a property guardian in a property it owned in the knowledge there were serious disrepair issues. She also complained that when she reported her concerns, the Council ended its agreement with the property guardian company, which then started eviction …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Not Upheld
Jul 2022
21-018-579 — Liverpool City Council
Summary: The complaint is on behalf of a leaseholders association about a development next to the site the association represents. The complaint concerns the Council’s approval of a site compound and temporary traffic regulation orders. The complainant says the compound has an impact on some of the properties, has created …
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Upheld
Sep 2022
PSOW-202406149 — Newport City Homes
Miss A complained that Newport City Homes had failed to undertake repairs and address damp and mould issues, which she had first reported in July 2024. Miss A further complained that she had experienced difficulties in contacting the Housing Association. The Ombudsman found that although the Housing Association had undertaken …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Mar 2025
PSOW-202406444 — Pembrokeshire County Council
Mr A complained that Pembrokeshire County Council (“the Council”) had failed to investigate and repair damp and mould issues at his home. There are ongoing issues with damp, particularly in the bedroom, where the carpet is wet and there is mould on the wardrobe. Mr A and his wife were …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Mar 2025
PSOW-202407430 — Hafod Housing Association
Ms C complained that over a four-year period, Hafod Housing Association had not taken sufficient action to stop dampness and prevent mould in her home and provided evidence that a drainage channel had not been installed properly. The Ombudsman decided that the Housing Association had taken reasonable action by arranging …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Housing
Mar 2025
PSOW-202407604 — Cardiff Council
Mr B complained that he was unhappy with Cardiff Council’s (“the Council”) actions regarding housing repairs to his mother’s property. Mr B said that the Council had resolved most but not all of his issues. The Ombudsman decided that although the Council had undertaken work to resolve some outstanding issues, …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Mar 2025
21-004-788 — Southampton City Council
Summary: Mr X complained on behalf of Ms B and Mr C that the Council failed to take action to ensure their landlord completed remedial works to their private rented property within a reasonable time. We found the Council took appropriate action to ensure the landlord completed the required works …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
May 2022
22-004-062 — London Borough of Croydon
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to issue a notice advising Ms X it was considering serving an Improvement Notice in connection with the property she rents out to tenants. This is because Ms X can appeal against an Improvement Notice to the First Tier …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Jul 2022
21-011-841 — City of Doncaster Council
Summary: Mrs B complained the Council put her family in danger by failing to make a neighbouring property safe. She said the Council failed to deal with her complaints about pest infestation and nuisance and caused both her and her family distress, anxiety, and frustration. The Council was not at …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Jul 2022
23-021-303 — Malvern Hills District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to the complainant’s reports of disrepair in her Housing Association home. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and we cannot investigate the actions of Housing Associations.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Jun 2024
24-005-913 — Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s administration of a home improvement grant in 2022. This 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.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Aug 2024
24-007-169 — London Borough of Islington
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a homeless hostel’s approach to substance misuse. That is because the Charity running the hostel is not within our jurisdiction. The Council has provided advice about how to report anti-social behaviour. Further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Sep 2024
24-006-835 — London Borough of Waltham Forest
Summary: X complained that the Council failed to properly respond to reports their rental accommodation suffered from disrepair and the landlord harassed and attempted to illegally evict X. We find the Council failed to properly consider its powers to tackle landlord harassment and retaliatory eviction, which caused X significant distress …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Jul 2025
25-006-907 — Westminster City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of discoloured water at Mr X’s home as the safety and testing of drinking water was not the Council’s responsibility, and problems relating to the internal hot water system relate to the Council’s management of leasehold and social housing.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Nov 2025
24-009-616 — City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of disrepair issues at Ms X’s privately rented accommodation. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Nov 2024
202409021 — East Lothian Council
C complained that the council failed to reasonably respond to reports of damp and mould in their property. C also complained about the council’s handling of their complaint. The council said that they had commissioned an independent survey of the property. They also apologised for delaying with some repairs. We …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Upheld
Jun 2025
202310193 — West Dunbartonshire Council
C is a council tenant and lives with their family. C complained that the property they were living in suffered from significant problems with damp and mould. C believed that the conditions in the property were adversely affecting the family’s health and damaging their possessions. It was acknowledged by the …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Upheld
Jul 2025
25-001-558 — London Borough of Southwark
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
25-010-835 — Birmingham City Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
PSOW-202207266 — Hafod Housing Association
Ms X complained that Hafod Housing Association failed to complete outstanding repairs to resolve damp, mould and electrical issues at her property. The Ombudsman decided that there had been shortcomings in the Associations handling of the complaint and concluded that it had closed Ms X’s complaint without first receiving the …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Housing
Feb 2023
PSOW-202205107 — Newport City Homes
Mrs D complained to the Ombudsman that Newport City Homes had not resolved several maintenance issues in respect of her property, leaving her house in a state of disrepair. The Ombudsman found that following Mrs D raising her complaint with the Body, which was escalated to Stage 2 in June …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Feb 2023
PSOW-202206191 — Linc Cymru Housing Association
Mr B complained that Linc Cymru Housing Association failed to respond to a complaint he submitted via its website on 20 December 2022. The Ombudsman concluded that the Association failed to communicate its decision to informally deal with his complaint, which caused Mr B inconvenience and frustration. The Ombudsman decided …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Housing
Feb 2023
PSOW-202207652 — Hafod Housing Association
Ms L complained that the Housing Association failed to provide a complaint response about the concerns she raised in December 2022. Ms L further complained that outstanding repairs had not been actioned despite promises to do so. The Ombudsman concluded that the Association failed to issue a complaint response and …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Housing
Mar 2023
PSOW-202403262 — Linc Cymru Housing Association
Miss D complained that Linc Cymru Housing Association failed to remedy the mould in her property. The Ombudsman found that whilst the Association had responded to Miss D’s Stage 1 complaint, it had initially closed her Stage 2 complaint in error without taking any action. Whilst the Ombudsman has since …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Housing
Jul 2024
PSOW-202404567 — Cardiff Council
Mr A complained that Cardiff Council had not resolved the damp and guttering issues at his property. The Ombudsman found that the Council had been aware of the issues with the guttering for many years and that these issues were the main cause of the damp issues in the property. …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Dec 2024
PSOW-202404580 — Flintshire County Council
Mrs P complained that Flintshire County Council (“the Council”) in its capacity as her landlord failed to take appropriate action to address a problem with water overflowing from guttering on a neighbouring private property against the wall of the property she rents. She said this had caused a damp problem …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Dec 2024
22-002-177 — London Borough of Lambeth
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s complaint concerning an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation). This is because neither the fault by the Council nor the injustice caused to Mr X is sufficient to warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
May 2022
22-005-535 — Middlesbrough Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council rejecting Mr X’s application for assistance to replace rotten wooden windows in his home. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Aug 2022
21-019-052 — London Borough of Lewisham
Summary: Miss X complained about delays and errors in how the Council considered her application for a home repair grant. There was fault in how the Council managed and responded to Miss X’s grant application. This caused Miss X uncertainty and frustration for which the Council agreed to apologise and …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Sep 2022
22-001-743 — Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: Mrs B complained that the Council did not take sufficient action to ensure her landlord carried out repairs to her property to resolve damp issues. We found no fault with the Council’s actions.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Not Upheld
Oct 2022
22-003-439 — Wiltshire Council
Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to return a property to residential use. He said the property attracts unwanted attention causing distress. We found no fault in the Council’s decision making.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Not Upheld
Nov 2022
22-010-839 — Broxtowe Borough Council
cannot investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council’s housing staff in the management of Mrs X’s social housing tenancy. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about social housing landlords and the management of their tenancies.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Nov 2022
22-004-181 — London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Summary: The Council was not at fault in how it decided not take enforcement action against Mr X’s landlord in January 2022.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Not Upheld
Dec 2022
22-011-597 — London Borough of Newham
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to act against the complainant’s neighbour. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The Council is not responsible for resolving private civil disputes between …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Dec 2022
23-010-362 — Birmingham City Council
Summary: There was fault the Council did not consider whether a property was reasonable for a tenant to remain in occupation, during the period Mr X was seeking possession of the property. That fault caused Mr X an injustice. The Council has agreed to carry out my recommendations to remedy …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Apr 2024
23-007-485 — Worthing Borough Council
Summary: Ms X complained the Council placed an unsuitable tenant, Y, in her property, let through a Council scheme to support homeless people. Ms X also complained the Council failed to support Y when Ms X raised concerns about her behaviour. Ms X said Y damaged the property and she …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Apr 2024
24-005-416 — London Borough of Islington
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to implement recommendations from a noise survey. The Council has considered the recommendations to reduce the noise. However, it has advised it does not have the finances available to implement them. Further investigation will not lead to a different …
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Sep 2024
24-013-976 — Burnley Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about how the Council responded to her reports of disrepair in her private rented accommodation. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Mar 2025
24-006-122 — London Borough of Croydon
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about what happened during the Council’s ‘buy back’ of Miss X’s leasehold property due to a regeneration project. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The Council has …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Mar 2025
24-022-477 — Spelthorne Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about a Council Housing Officer’s behaviour when she wanted advice on the high rent and disrepair issues at her privately rented property. There is not enough injustice to justify our involvement.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Jul 2025
25-003-370 — Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council threatening him with legal action after serving him with notices issued to him as a private landlord. It was reasonable to expect Mr X to use his legal rights to appeal to the First Tier (Property Chamber) Tribunal against …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Aug 2025
25-004-904 — Lancaster City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about advice the complainant says the Council gave to his tenant. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Aug 2025
25-003-818 — London Borough of Enfield
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s advice to Mr X’s tenant regarding his possession action and rent arrears. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Aug 2025
25-007-417 — East Suffolk Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to assist with a claim to compensate Ms X for damage to her belongings and decorations following water leaks during insulation works to her home. It was reasonable for Ms X to make a claim against the Council and …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Oct 2025
24-011-386 — Medway Council
Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s lack of action and response to her reports when her landlord delayed fixing various disrepair issues at her property. We found the Council at fault for letting the case drift and the late point it found a Category 1 hazard. This caused Miss …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Oct 2025
24-018-625 — Southend-on-Sea City Council
Summary: The Council was not at fault for how it handled reports about the condition of Ms X’s property or for how it placed restrictions on her contact. The Council was at fault for how it handled some of her requests for re-housing. This meant Ms X had to wait …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Oct 2025
24-012-087 — Derby City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about action the Council has taken against Mr X as a landlord. It is reasonable for Mr X to use his right of appeal to a residential property tribunal, and we will not consider the matter instead.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Nov 2024
24-015-023 — London Borough of Enfield
Summary: We cannot investigate Ms B’s complaint about the Council not issuing her a refund after she was over-charged for water use at her Council tenancy. This is because we cannot investigate complaints about the management of social housing by a council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Nov 2024
25-009-566 — Tendring District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions to address private housing disrepair. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Dec 2025
PSOW-202308145 — Cardiff Community Housing Association
Ms E complained that Cardiff Community Housing Association failed to locate and resolve a water leak which caused damp and mould. The Ombudsman found that Ms E formally complained to the Association. The Association upheld the complaint but failed to formally address all issues raised. She found this caused additional …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Housing
Mar 2024