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NPDC takes close look at footpath faults

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PUBLISHED: 3 MAR 2026
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Footpaths across the district are coming under the microscope with the help of a small buggy.

NPDC is digitally scanning all public footpaths over five weeks to record faults ranging from cracks and vegetation through to displacement.

“The buggy is really useful for this type of work,” says NPDC Transport Contract Programme Manager Tony Hellier.

“It means we’re detecting faults in a consistent way across more than 570km of footpath, and it can automatically record the location, size and severity of every fault.”

The data collected will help the council prioritise maintenance and repairs.

“This survey will help us focus our resources where they’re most needed,” says Tony.

The footpath survey takes place every three years.

At a glance:

  • In last year’s NPDC customer satisfaction survey, 76 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the quality and safety of footpaths, compared to an average of 53 per cent among our peer councils.
  • In 2025 NPDC received 232 alerts or complaints about footpaths.

Caption: Civil Engineering Technician Zaid Abdulmajeed gets ready to scan footpaths in Bell Block as part of a district-wide review of footpath quality.

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Page last updated: 09:23am Tue 03 March 2026

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