Devon County Council is committing £100,000 to train volunteers to repair potholes in their local areas due to budget reductions.
The Community Road Warden scheme will supply designated ‘road wardens’ with a simple-to-use pothole repair material—Instarmac—to patch up small potholes.
These wardens will also act as a primary point of contact with the county council’s local neighbourhood highway officers and will be able to carry out other tasks such as weed clearance and grass cutting.
The scheme was first introduced two years ago and a pilot carried out earlier this year in five parishes saw volunteers repair almost 200 minor holes.
‘The road warden scheme came from requests from local Councils asking to be allowed to do more, as we’re unable to do as much of the minor work as we continue to face budget reductions from central Government,’ said cabinet member for highway management Cllr Stuart Hughes.
Cllr Hughes, who is also the road warden for Sidmouth, added: ‘The community road wardens complement our highway maintenance service by providing flexible support which enables communities to deliver their own priority needs.’
