You can report a problem or make an enquiry about highways by contacting the Technical Services Department (Tel: 01720 422537 or email: techservices@scilly.gov.uk)
Reporting problems
You can report Street lighting faults online, or potholes and obstructions to the highway on the Roads and highways online forms.
Making enquiries
Application forms need to be completed to break open the highway, erect scaffolding, or place a skip on the highway. These can be downloaded from the website or paper copies may be sent on request.
Defects on highways
Damage to property or injury to highway users, caused by defects on the highway is very regrettable. The Council of the Isles of Scilly aims to minimise these as far as possible.
The Council (as a highway authority) is required to maintain its highways to standards that are equivalent to their status and use (not necessarily to the high level some might expect).
To ensure this happens, regular safety inspections are undertaken and observed defects are noted and dealt with as appropriate.
The Council also encourages the general public to report any potential hazardous defect which will also be dealt with as appropriate.
Defects on the highway - the law and you
In law, for a claim against a highway authority to succeed, it is necessary for the claimant to prove that:-
- The highway in question has not been maintained appropriately, with regard to its importance and use, and was therefore dangerous
- This was the direct cause of the accident.
If this can be proved, then it is for the highway authority to demonstrate that it took reasonable steps to ensure that the highway was safe.
In practice, this means that all records of inspections and the repairs carried out form the basis of the authority's legal defence against any claim.
Defects on the highway - if you decide to claim
If you decide to claim you will need to provide full details in writing of the following:-
- Exact location of incident
- Time, date and weather
- Direction of travel, by foot or vehicle
- Sketch of incident location
- Detail of damage or injury suffered
- Why you believe the highway authority is responsible for the accident.
- For personal injury claims you will need to supply your N I number, date of birth and earnings details if your claim involves loss of earnings.
For vehicle claims you may also need to provide:-
- Proof of vehicle ownership
- Copy of insurance certificate
- Date of last service
- Any other relevant factors
If the incident has occurred as a result of works carried out on the highway by a utility company or contractor then your claim may be against them and not the highway authority.
The Council will submit any claim to our insurers who will in most cases, deal with the claimant directly.
This section will contain any information to do with roads, highways and pavements, such as road closures, road adoption, road markings and signage, bridges, and street furniture.
