LAMENTING the loss of the lengthsmen who used to keep roads and drains clear, Crediton Hamlets Parish Council members hoped people could be encouraged to be more proactive in checking drains near them.

At this month’s meeting the chairman, Cllr George Mortimer, said he had cleared two drains at Venny Tedburn where the road had flooded but the main problem had been water coming off the field.

It was said another flooded length of road near Uton showed that no-one was checking gullies or drains and it would be good if people could be encouraged to be able to do more in checking whether mud or debris was blocking drain covers.

It was also reported that there was a big, square pothole at Moorlake which, at that time, had a warning cone in it.

Mid Devon District Councillor Derek Coren said another problem had been close to the Punchbowl Recycling Centre.

He said he had gone there three times to clear the water. “I am often clearing drains, I keep a shovel in the car,” he said.

Devon County Councillor Nick Way commented that one of the worst things the county council had done was to get rid of the lengthsmen. “I do not know what would happen without the help of farmers and other people because a lot of drains would not be cleared,” he said.

Another problem had been water on the road between Hollacombe Cross and Brandise Cross on the way to the Punchbowl

Councillors were asked to report any problems to the parish council clerk who would pass it on.

FLYTIPPING

Asked if he knew when the dumped caravan at Fordton Cross was to be removed and whether there was to be any verge ploughing, Cllr Way explained that so much work had been postponed because of the need for social distancing for the workers.

It was reported that advance warning signs for road closures from January 18 at Fordton had not yet gone up, that was January 4.

It was reported that there had been flood water below Dickers near Gunstone for three weeks. Specialised equipment was needed to clear it.

Councillors agreed the big problem was lack of maintenance and not the rivers or streams flooding. It was regretted that local knowledge such as where there were drain holes through hedges from roads was being forgotten.