Pavement hazards and maintenance

Pavement defects

We carry out safety inspections of the adopted highway network to identify defects which may pose a risk of damage or injury to its users. This includes pavements and footways.

We have developed, and implemented, a risk-based approach to the establishment of safety inspection frequencies. Inspection frequencies of 1 month, 3 months or 12 months have been established for roads in Trafford.

We apply agreed principles of intervention levels to any defects that may be identified. These are outlined in our current highway policy.

If any damage is not our responsability, for example, a telecommunications manhole, then we will report this to the responsible company or individual.

For emergency work, we aim to make a hazard safe within two hours before making or facilitating a permanent repair.

Pavement obstructions

Objects that block the pavement that cause an obstruction to pedestrians can include:

• vegetation
• unpermitted roadworks
• unpermitted skips and scaffolding
• unauthorised hoardings
• unlicenced tables and chairs
• advertising boards
• building materials

We can take enforcement action against persons causing unlawful wilful obstruction of the highway under the Highways Act (1980).

Pavement and footway maintenance

We undertake an annual capital programme to maintain and improvement road and pavement surfaces throughout Trafford. Schemes are identified for this programme based on our Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan.

View our full list of highway improvement schemes for this year. 

Report an issue

If you spot an issue on a pavement or footway, you can report this online.

Report an issue on a pavement