Here’s the thing I learned from my pothole adventure: the person on the other end of the line is probably a kind, overworked human who deals with ten angry people before lunch. So when you call, be polite. Seriously, a little “good morning” and “thank you” can work wonders. I once got a council worker to expedite a repair just because I asked how their day was. True story.
Bishop Monkton Parish Council – News and updates from Bishop Monkton
And if you’re calling about something silly? Don’t apologize. I called once about a tree branch that looked like a dragon’s head. The lady laughed and said, “We get weirder every day, love.” No judgment.
When All Else Fails: The Digital Lifeboat
Let’s be real—sometimes you don’t want to talk to a human. Maybe you’re shy, or you’re eating a sandwich, or you just can’t handle another round of “press 1 for highways.” In that case, the council’s website is your friend. Go to www.northyorks.gov.uk and use the “Report It” tool. It’s surprisingly fast. You can report a pothole, a broken street light, or even a graffiti problem in under two minutes. No phone anxiety required.
But here’s the catch: if you report online, you won’t get a warm voice saying, “Oh, I know that road—it’s a nightmare.” You’ll get a confirmation email. Emails don’t care about your day. Choose wisely.
