Footpath maintenance

Hazards on footpaths are a key concern at all times. The problems of weeds, standing water and ice or snow tend to be more seasonal. Footpaths constructed of paving slabs can also suffer very badly from damage by vehicles.  The council is committed to investigating all reported hazards.

While work is being done on the footpath by companies such as gas, water, electric and telephone suppliers, it is their responsibility to keep the area safe and ensure the area is left in a good condition.

About this service

Durham County Council highways authority has responsibility for the maintenance of most of the footpaths throughout the district. The District of Easington has responsibility for the maintenance of footpaths in only some areas of the district, for example:

• some paths within former council estates
• Haswell to Hart walkway
• Crimdon Dene
• Station Town to Deaf Hill walkway
• former Hawthorn coke works site           

Defects on footpaths will be investigated, including:

• slab movement
• uneven ironwork
• potholes
• large depressions
• cracking
• overhanging vegetation
• weeds
• standing water
• crumbling tarmac
• ice and snow           

A street that is not maintained by Durham County Council or the District of Easington is classed as a private street. They are generally in a poorer condition than those streets that are maintained.

The responsibility for private streets lies with land owner. These are usually the people who live in the street.

What you must do

When making a report it is preferable to give a location and description allowing us to respond effectively.

When reporting a footpath that has been damaged by a vehicle it would be helpful to have the vehicle details so that the Council can recover the full cost of repairs from the vehicle owner.

What we must do

We are legally obliged to maintain our footpaths to safe standard 

What happens next?

Once the report has been received it will be assessed and appropriate action taken.

Some frequently asked questions

I want to put a driveway on my property and I will need to cross the footpath. What do I need to do?

You will need a dropped kerb (vehicle crossing).

We can quote to do the work or you can get a quote from a highway certified contractor. If you do want to organise the work yourself then must get permission from Durham County Council.