Highways
The Somerset Council Highways Department is primarily responsible for maintaining the public highway network in Somerset, including repairing potholes, managing road defects, ensuring safe access for all road users, maintaining bridges and drains, managing street lighting, and overseeing roadworks and closures across the county; essentially keeping the roads in a safe and accessible condition for the public.
To report a highways issue – Report a problem on the road
Key responsibilities include:
- Road maintenance: Fixing potholes, edge loss, and other road damage
- Bridge maintenance: Assessing and repairing bridges on the highway network
- Drainage management: Maintaining drains and gullies to prevent flooding
- Traffic management: Managing road closures, signage, and road markings
- Street lighting: Maintaining street lights
- Highway safety inspections: Regularly inspecting roads to identify potential hazards
- Tree management: Maintaining roadside trees
- Weed control: Managing noxious weeds on highway verges
- Overseeing roadworks: Managing permits and ensuring proper signage for construction projects on public roads
- Responding to complaints: Investigating and addressing issues reported by residents regarding the highway
- Snow and ice management: Clearing snow and ice from roads during winter conditions
