ONE of the greatest concerns to people, both locally and nationally, is the appalling number of potholes in our roads.

Readers will be interested in a self-help scheme whereby volunteers can do the work themselves with materials provided by the Devon County Council.

Crediton County Councillor Jim Cairney and Steve Huxtable (Mayor of Crediton) recently helped repair some potholes on Neopardy Hill in the hot weather with Phil Hancock (Lengthman of Hittisleigh).

For anyone wishing to participate in the "Road Warden Scheme" further details can be found by contacting [email protected] or Devon County Council via the website: www.devon.gov.uk

With grateful thanks to the volunteers.

Charles Tweedie

Neopardy

• Editor’s Note: The Road Warden Scheme is a formal agreement between Devon County Council and local councils and community groups that enables communities to deliver approved minor works on or around the public highway. This can include organising or carrying out work both on and off the live carriageway.

Work Road Wardens can undertake include pothole repairs that do not meet DCC safety intervention levels, clearing weeds, cleaning road signs, cleaning drainage features (for example, gully gratings), grass cutting and managing verges for wildlife and repairing fingerposts.

All works must be pre‑agreed with the local Neighbourhood Highway Officer (NHO) and carried out using DDC’s method statements.

Approval depends on the type of work proposed, volunteer qualifications, traffic flow and speed and safety considerations outlined in the risk assessment.

Work on high‑speed roads is unlikely to be approved. Some tasks (for example, sign cleaning) may be allowed on main roads if training, signing, and guarding meet Chapter 8 requirements.

Parish and town councils can contact DCC on 0345 155 1004 or email [email protected].

Individuals should approach their local council or community group regarding the scheme.

In May DCC confirmed that only 135 parish or town councils had signed up for the self help scheme out of 426 in Devon.