Adopted roads
Adopted roads in Gateshead
An adopted road is a highway, footpath, or footway that is maintained by us. This includes things such as fixing street lights that are not working and repairing pot holes. You can report a problem on our roads, such as potholes or issues with street lights.
On new estates there is usually an agreement between the council and the developer that the council will take on responsibility for the roads. If you are buying a house on a new estate your solicitor will find this out as part of their conveyancing service.
Map of adopted roads
We regularly update this map in light of new road adoptions. While all effort is made to ensure the list is up to date, it cannot be guaranteed.
Road adoption
Road adoption is a term used to describe the council taking ownership of a 'private street'.
A 'private street' is a road which is not maintained at public expense. This means that we, as the highway authority, are under no obligation to carry out repairs or cleansing to the street, even though it could be a public right of way to which highway and traffic law can be applied.
Private streets may often be unpaved, without kerbs, footways, drainage and lighting (or in some cases) any of these features, and the running surface is probably in a bad condition.
Owners of properties fronting private streets should particularly note that liability for meeting claims for accident or injury damage resulting from the condition of the private street would be expected to rest with the owners of properties on the street.
Under the provisions of Sections 205 to 218 of the Highways Act 1980 (the Private Street Works Code), we as the Highway Authority, may resolve to make up a private street to "adoptable standards" by providing any or all of the missing features, by improving the standard of any existing features, and subsequently maintain the street as adopted highway.
Any such improvements will have to be at the abutting property owners or frontages expense. A majority of the frontages in a private street will have to indicate their willingness to bear their portion of the costs of a scheme to improve a street to "adoptable standards" before it can be considered for implementation. Because the process can be complex, we have prepared some guidance notes for works under the Private Street Works Code.
Additional guidance
Private Street Works Request Form (PDF, 239 KB)(opens new window)