PublicPin reporting guides
How to report a pothole or damaged road
A useful road report shows the damaged surface and where it interrupts a shared route. PublicPin lets you record it on a public map so neighbours can recognise the same issue and contribute updates.
What belongs in a road report?
Potholes, broken road surfaces and damaged public walking routes can be recorded as Road issues. Focus each pin on one visible problem. A damaged signal is better described by Traffic, while a water leak belongs under Water.
Show both the damage and its surroundings
Take a fresh photo from a safe place beside the route. Include enough of the surrounding surface to make the damage recognisable. You do not need to step into traffic, measure a hole or place an object inside it. Avoid making faces or vehicle plates the subject of the image.
Check whether the same damage is already pinned
Look at nearby pins before creating another report. When PublicPin suggests a matching issue during reporting, select it if it is the same problem. Use “Report a different issue” for separate damage. Confirming an existing report helps keep its evidence and updates together.
Follow the repair rather than assuming it is complete
A pin marked “Resolution reported” means someone has submitted evidence of a fix; it is not the same as an administrator-verified outcome. If you revisit the location, use the available confirmation or resolution action to record what you actually see. Closed issues remain available with their history.
Report it with PublicPin
- Open PublicPin on your phone and tap Report. You can contribute without creating an account.
- Take a fresh photo of the issue, then choose Road.
- Review any suggested matching reports. Confirm the existing issue if it matches, or continue with a different issue.
- Allow location access while you are at the site and submit your pin. If it is saved offline, wait for the upload to finish before treating it as live.
The pin appears after successful publication. New photos stay private until approved by an administrator. Photo approval does not verify the cause of the issue or promise a repair.
Does a PublicPin road report reach the road authority automatically?
No. PublicPin creates a community record; it does not automatically register an official complaint or guarantee a repair. If you need action from the responsible road authority or municipality, use its official reporting channel as well. You can share your PublicPin link for context.