How we maintain roads and pavements

We maintain most of Birmingham's roads, pavements, cycle routes, bridges, tunnels, street lighting, highway trees and drainage systems.

We inspect them regularly and repair problems that meet our maintenance standards.

Our maintenance standards help us decide how often we inspect roads and pavements and which repairs we should prioritise.

Inspecting roads and pavements

We regularly inspect roads, pavements and cycle routes for damage and other problems.

We also assess issues reported by residents and other people using our roads, pavements and cycle routes.

We inspect busier roads, pavements and cycle routes more often than quieter ones.

Prioritising repairs

We prioritise repairs based on the level of risk they present to people using roads, pavements and cycle routes.

Category 1: Dangerous defects

A Category 1 defect is a problem that could be dangerous and needs urgent action.

Category 2: Non-urgent defects

A Category 2 defect is not an immediate danger but still needs repair to keep the highway in good condition.

Report a highways issue

You can report problems with roads and pavements online.

Report road and pavement issues

Page last updated: 15 September 2026