Report a Problem in Chichester: Potholes, Streetlights, Fly-Tipping and Parks

Which council do I contact?

Two councils share the work in the Chichester area. West Sussex County Council looks after the roads, pavements and verges, streetlights and traffic lights, and public rights of way. Chichester District Council looks after bins, street cleaning, fly-tipping, parks and parking enforcement. The county council's pothole page directs reports of potholes on the A23, A27 and M23 to National Highways instead. Private roads are the responsibility of the residents of that road.

How do I report a pothole?

Use the county council's report a pothole online page. If a pothole is an emergency and presents an immediate risk to public safety, the page says to phone 01243 642105, answered by the Highways Customer Service Centre between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays, with an out of hours service at other times.

As published by the county council, repair targets depend on the size of the defect. It says it usually repairs potholes greater than 100mm deep and 150mm wide on all roads within 5 working days, potholes between 40mm and 100mm deep and 150mm wide within 28 days, and does not usually repair potholes under 40mm deep, though it will review them at the next programmed inspection. Reports of potholes on the A27, A23 and M23 go to National Highways.

What else can I report to the county council?

The road and pavement problems page lists online reporting for flooding, blocked drains and gullies, obstructions on a road, pavement or cycle path, pavements and verges, trees, hedges and weeds, faded lines and damaged signs, vehicles causing an obstruction, abandoned vehicles, spillages on the highway, public rights of way problems and other road or pavement problems.

How do I report a faulty streetlight or traffic light?

The county council's streetlights page says street lighting problems are reported to its contractor Enerveo and faulty traffic lights to its contractor Telent, using the links on that page.

How do I report fly-tipping?

Fly-tipping is dealt with by Chichester District Council. Use the report fly tipping form linked from the council's fly-tipping page, which also describes fly-tipping as a criminal offence that could lead to a fine of up to £50,000 and a prison sentence. The county council's page says fly-tipping along a roadside can also be reported through its own link. If you are paying someone to clear waste, check that they are a registered waste carrier, as covered in our recycling centre guide.

What other problems does the district council handle?

The council's apply, report and pay page lists online forms for a missed bin collection, a street cleaning problem, a street nameplate problem, a problem with a public convenience, a dead or dangerous tree, a high hedges complaint, noise, nuisance and antisocial behaviour, pollution or nuisance, a parking problem, a food safety problem and a problem within a park or green space. For missed bins see our bin collection guide.

What if it is an emergency?

Online forms are not for emergencies. If there is immediate danger to life, call 999. For an urgent road hazard, the county council's pothole page gives the 01243 642105 line above for office hours. Always note the exact location, such as a house number, nearby landmark or lamp post number, because that is what crews need to find the problem.