City of Edinburgh Council
The City of Edinburgh Council's Roads, Lighting and Transport department, also known as CLARENCE, provides services related to street lighting and road maintenance. You can report street lighting emergencies such as exposed wiring or damaged lamp posts by calling during business hours. Non-emergency issues, like potholes or signage problems, can be reported online at any time. Callers often experience long wait times, especially after severe weather, and may find the phone menu confusing. It is recommended to use online forms for non-urgent issues to ensure faster processing. The best time to call is typically during non-peak hours to avoid delays.
Updated 15 Dec 2025
Expected outcomes
- Report street lighting emergency
- Report non-emergency street lighting issue
- Report road or pavement problem
- Request emergency assistance
- Submit contact details for updates
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Location of issue
- Description of emergency
- Description of problem
- Contact details
- Access to online form
- Alternative emergency number
Known issues
Callers to the City of Edinburgh Council's Roads, Lighting and Transport department have reported long wait times, particularly during peak hours or following major weather events. This can be frustrating, especially when trying to report urgent issues. Additionally, the phone menu can be confusing, leading to misdirected calls. While there is no consistent resolution for these issues, using the online reporting forms for non-urgent problems is recommended to avoid long waits. Staff may manually redirect calls if needed, but this is not guaranteed. For emergencies, calling during business hours is advised.
