Dorset Council Urges Property Owners to Check Buildings After Falling Debris Causes Road Closures

Dorset Council Urges Property Owners to Check Buildings After Falling Debris Causes Road Closures

Dorset Council is urging property owners whose buildings border public highways to check and maintain their structures, following recent incidents where falling debris has led to road closures and disruption for local communities.

The council has raised concerns about the risks posed by unsafe buildings, walls and other structures close to roads and pavements, warning that poor maintenance can put pedestrians, motorists and nearby residents in danger. Dorset Council says regular inspection and timely repairs can prevent accidents and help keep everyone safe.

If a potentially dangerous structure is reported, Dorset Council’s Building Control Surveyors and Highways Engineers will work with owners to secure the area and manage any immediate risk to the public. However, the authority stresses that responsibility for carrying out repairs lies with the property owner.

Dangerous structures that can be reported include buildings, parts of buildings, garden walls and hoardings. When making a report, residents are asked to provide the address of the structure, a description of what is considered dangerous and where it is located, any known ownership details, access information, and optional contact details for updates.

Reports can be made during office hours by calling Dorset Council Building Control on 01305 252254. Outside office hours, concerns should be reported via 01305 221000.

In cases of imminent danger, Dorset Council says it will respond immediately, with a Building Control Surveyor aiming to attend within two hours to assess the situation and determine whether urgent action is required. Where possible, owners will be given the opportunity to remove the risk themselves. If this is not possible, the council can take direct action to make the site safe.

If there is no immediate danger, Dorset Council will contact the owner and request that the risk is removed within a reasonable period. Should this not happen, the council can apply for a court orderrequiring the work to be carried out. If the owner still fails to comply, the council is able to undertake the work itself.

Any costs incurred by Dorset Council in making a structure safe are recoverable from the property owner and may be registered as a charge on the local property register.

Dorset Council is encouraging property owners to act proactively, warning that regular maintenance is the best way to avoid disruption, enforcement action and potential harm to the public.