Highway faults reporting tool improved!

Arrows showing status of the work

It has been possible to report highways faults and problems on line for some time.  In fact I have often found that this is the best way to get problems such as potholes sorted out quickly.

Suffolk County Council has recently launched a new online reporting tool, which is an improvement in a number of ways.  The new system is map based, which means that, provided you know where you are, you can plot exactly where the fault can be found.  This is a key issue for our engineers, who previously, it seems, sometimes could not work out from residents' reports where the problem was situated.

In order to avoid duplication, once a fault is reported this is marked with a coloured pin (see above).  It is also possible to update the map to show progress on the work.

The system allows photographs to be uploaded and also can be accessed via tablets and mobile phones.  This means that, if you can get a signal, you can report the problem instantaneously!

Rapidity does not end there apparently.   Once a new report is added to the system it is forwarded immediately to the relevant traffic engineer or technician.  Where the person who reported the incident provides an e mail address, they should receive an acknowledgement and updates on progress.

The new reporting tool should be used for logging matters related to road maintenance,  road safety and traffic management.  It should not be used for emergencies, and there is an alternative number on the site for this purpose.

I am sure that the new system will be an improvement on the previous model and I am pleased that the council has made this investment.  My only concern is that, when electronics interface with human beings, the latter will prove as responsive as the former.

Time will tell!

To access the new tool click here.