Quick answer: To report a problem to Glasgow City Council, the easiest way is the free MyGlasgow app or the online “Report It” forms at glasgow.gov.uk. Use them for potholes, flytipping, broken streetlights, graffiti, abandoned vehicles and dog fouling. Add a photo and a location and you get a reference number. For roads or lighting emergencies (a danger to the public) phone 0800 373 635 instead. The general council number is 0141 287 9700. Last updated June 2026.
The fastest way to report a problem in Glasgow
Most folk reach for the phone first, but for everyday issues the app or online form is quicker and you get a tracked reference number out of it. The council routes your report straight to the relevant team, so there’s no waiting in a phone queue to describe a pothole.
There are three main routes:
- MyGlasgow app on the App Store and Google Play. Attach a photo or video, drop a pin on the map, submit. You can get updates by text, push notification or email.
- Online “Report It” forms at glasgow.gov.uk. You’ll usually set up a free myaccount login the first time, then pick a category and fill in the form.
- By phone on 0141 287 9700 (the Land and Environmental Services line) if you can’t or don’t want to go online.
Whatever route you take, always note the reference number. It’s the only way to chase a report later.
What you can report, and the right channel for each
Different problems go to different teams. Picking the right category gets it fixed faster. Here’s the quick version.
| Problem | Best way to report | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Potholes & road faults | MyGlasgow app or online road faults form | A roads inspector assesses by risk level. Dangerous defects are prioritised. |
| Flytipping (public land) | App or online environmental form | Council does not clear flytipping from private land, that’s the landowner’s job. |
| Broken streetlight | Online lighting form, or 0800 373 635 (option 2) if dangerous | Online form isn’t monitored 24/7, so phone genuine emergencies. |
| Graffiti | App or online environmental form | Offensive or racist graffiti is usually prioritised. |
| Abandoned vehicles | Online form or 0141 276 0859 | Give the make, colour and reg if you can. |
| Dog fouling | App or online form (can be anonymous) | Useful to note times and locations if it’s a repeat spot. |
| Missed bin collection | App or online form, or 0141 287 9700 | See our bin guide for collection days first. |
Potholes and road faults
Glasgow’s roads take a battering, and potholes are easily the most reported issue. Use the road faults form online or the app, and give the exact location, a lane or footpath direction, and a photo if it’s safe to take one. The council uses a risk-based approach: an inspector logs the defect and the most dangerous ones get sorted first. Less urgent repairs can sit in the queue a good while, so don’t expect overnight magic on a minor crack.
If a pothole or road defect is an immediate danger, for example a deep hole on a fast road, phone the roads emergency line on 0800 373 635 rather than filling in a form. Check the current process and any timescales on the official mygov.scot report a pothole page, as these can change.
Flytipping and dumped rubbish
Flytipping on public land, a back lane, a park edge, a street corner, goes to the environmental team via the app or the online form. Photos and a precise location help a lot. One thing worth knowing: the council does not remove flytipping from private property. If rubbish has been dumped on land you own or rent, clearing it is your responsibility, even though you didn’t put it there. That one catches a lot of landlords out.
If you’re clearing out yourself and want to avoid creating a flytipping problem, book a bulky uplift or use your local recycling centre. Our Glasgow bin collection guide covers uplifts, recycling centres and what goes in which bin.
Broken streetlights and traffic signals
For a streetlight that’s out, flickering or on all day, use the online lighting fault form. Note the column number if there’s one on the post, it speeds things up. The online form isn’t watched around the clock, so if a light is hanging loose or a cable is exposed, treat it as an emergency and phone 0800 373 635, then press option 2 for lighting.
Faulty pedestrian crossings and traffic lights are reported separately, again through the council’s roads pages. A signal that’s stuck or dark at a busy junction is worth phoning in rather than waiting on a form.
Graffiti, dog fouling and abandoned vehicles
These all sit under environmental reporting. A few pointers:
- Graffiti on council property goes through the app or online form. Offensive content is usually bumped up the list. Graffiti on private buildings is the owner’s responsibility.
- Dog fouling can be reported anonymously online or in the app. If it’s a persistent hotspot, log the times and spots, that helps enforcement.
- Abandoned vehicles can be reported online or on 0141 276 0859. Give the make, model, colour and registration, and note how long it’s been sitting. There’s a legal process before anything can be removed, so it isn’t instant.
What happens after you report
Once you submit, your report is routed to the right service team and you get a reference number. For roads and potholes, an inspector visits and grades the defect by risk. For environmental issues, a crew is scheduled depending on the backlog. You can choose updates by text, email or push notification through the app.
If nothing’s moved and the issue is still there, quote your reference number when you chase it. If you’re unhappy with how a report was handled, that’s different from the report itself and goes through the council’s formal complaints process, which you’ll find on glasgow.gov.uk/complaints. There’s also FixMyStreet, an independent site that forwards street issues to the council and shows what others have already reported nearby, handy for checking a pothole isn’t already logged.
Phone numbers worth saving
- General council / Land and Environmental Services: 0141 287 9700
- Roads and lighting emergencies (24/7): 0800 373 635
- Abandoned vehicles: 0141 276 0859
- Council main switchboard: 0141 287 2000
Numbers and processes can change, so it’s worth a quick check on the official Glasgow City Council contact page before you call.
Related Glasgow guides
Sorting out other council bits and bobs? These cover the things people ask alongside reporting problems:
- Glasgow bin collection guide for collection days, recycling and bulky uplifts.
- Glasgow parking permits if your issue is parking or permit zones.
- Glasgow council tax explained for bands, discounts and how to pay.
- Glasgow LEZ explained if you’re dealing with the Low Emission Zone.
FAQ
What’s the main number to report a problem in Glasgow?
0141 287 9700 is the Land and Environmental Services line for things like bins, flytipping and graffiti. For roads or lighting emergencies use 0800 373 635. The general switchboard is 0141 287 2000.
Do I need an account to report online?
The MyGlasgow app lets you report quickly. For some online “Report It” forms you’ll set up a free myaccount login the first time, which lets you track your reports.
How long does a pothole take to get fixed?
It depends on the risk grading. Dangerous defects are prioritised, while minor ones can sit in the queue for some time. Check current timescales on the council’s road faults pages, as they change.
Can I report flytipping anonymously?
Yes, you can report flytipping and dog fouling without giving your details. Just remember the council only clears flytipping from public land, not private property.
What’s the difference between a report and a complaint?
A report flags an issue to be fixed, like a pothole or broken light. A complaint is about how the council handled something, and that goes through the formal complaints process at glasgow.gov.uk/complaints.
Should I use the app or phone?
For non-urgent issues the app or online form is faster and gives you a reference number. Phone the emergency lines only when something is an immediate danger to the public.
