Highways Action Line

What is HAL?

Caring for County Durham’s 3,508 kilometres of roads is the responsibility of Durham County Council. It is a huge task, with 32 traffic light junctions, 81 pedestrian crossings and 78000 street lights to maintain. Ensuring everything is working as it should is a priority for the Council and that is the reason we have created HAL.

HAL is Durham County Council’s 'Highways Action Line', a one-stop call centre set up to allow you to quickly and easily report any road and lighting defects and hazards. You can call HAL on 0191 3706000 or use our online forms by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.

The Highways Action Line is open 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.00am to 4.30pm on Fridays. For emergency situations outside these hours, you can still contact Durham County Council on 0191 3706000. For non-emergency situations outside these hours, please either use the on-line form (link below) or telephone HAL the next working day.

Roads and Pavements

Damaged pavements and potholes on the roads can cause injury to pedestrians and damage to vehicles. Such defects pose an even greater danger to children, older people and cyclists, so if you see anything in need of repair then give HAL a call on 0191 3706000.

Street Lights

Unfortunately, many street lights are put out of action by vandalism as well as through malfunction. Broken lights make our streets dark, causing even the shortest journeys to be more worrying. If you see a street light out of action then get it fixed by calling HAL on 0191 3706000. Please try to quote the column number when reporting street lighting as it helps for a speedier repair. Remember live electrical wires can kill. If you see exposed wires on street lights, call HAL immediately and we will make the repair a top priority.

Damaged street light HAL call team

Traffic Lights

Traffic light faults can mean delays, traffic jams and accidents. Give HAL a call on 0191 3706000 and we’ll get things moving again.

traffic lights blocked road drain

Blocked Road Drains

Blocked gullies are a problem as rainwater causes flooding when it can’t drain away. If you see a problem then call HAL on 0191 3706000.

Licences, Forms and Permits

If you want to put anything on a public highway the council issue a variety of licences, forms and permits which can be issued through HAL.

How to report a fault or make an enquiry

There are many potential problem areas and HAL needs your help to keep on top of them. If you see any road or lighting hazards then call HAL on 0191 3706000 to get it sorted. Remember, HAL can help you walk, cycle and drive safely and comfortably. When you see a problem, take note of what it is and where it is - the more information you can give us then the quicker we can get things moving. Call HAL on 0191 3706000 and our staff will ask you a few brief questions. When reporting a street lighting fault, please try and quote the number printed on the lighting column. This will enable us to pinpoint exactly where it is.

Our staff are highly trained in using the new HAL computerised call system and will quickly get information from you on the type of problem, its location and how urgent it is. From this information, a report will be sent immediately for action.