When our Highways team are out and about fixing problems, they look out for other issues to add to our ongoing maintenance and inspection programme. 

How we handle your reports

If you report a problem with a street light, road sign or bollard to us, we will inspect the problem within the 7 working days of receiving your report, after which we will take action as follows:

• If the problem is dangerous: we will repair it / make it safe within 24 hours of the inspection. 
• If the problem does not pose an immediate safety concern: we will monitor it / add it to our programme of work or ask the relevant partner to fix it. 
• If the problem does not need repair: we will monitor it over time as part of our routine inspection programme.

If you believe the problem poses an immediate and critical risk, please report it to us immediately by calling our Highways team. Only genuinely dangerous problems should be reported in this way to help us prioritise your safety. 

Street lighting

The Council manages over 16,000 street lights in the borough, others are managed by National Highways, Parish Councils and Housing Associations.

Some electrical supply problems with street lights are easily fixed by our own teams, but others need to be fixed by partners such as distribution network operators, and may take longer to fix.

Report a problem with a street lighting

You can report problems such as a street light that is:

• knocked down or damaged 
• permanently switched on
• not working
• too bright

The more information you can give us in your report, the better. 

To report a street lighting problem, please use this form:

Report a street light problem

If the code on the street light starts with a Z please report this to the relevant developer or housing association and not Bedford Borough Council.

Road signs and bollards

You can report problems with road signs (including street name plates) and bollards that are:

• damaged
• knocked down
• missing

If the road sign or bollard is illuminated, you can also let us know if the light is not working or if it is permanently switched on.

Report a problem with a road sign or bollard

To report a road sign or bollard problem, please use this form:

Report a road sign or bollard problem

Illegal advertising on street lights

Any advertising sign fixed to street lights and other street furniture may be illegal and we will remove them. We will only allow black on yellow signs to be erected in approved locations on the highway.

Policy and strategy documents

• Lighting Policy (PDF)
• Illuminated Signage Asset Strategy (PDF)