Mary Tavy Parish Council successfully applied for a grant from Devon County Council’s Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund to fund a qualified parish lengthsman to carry out a comprehensive program of roadside ditch, gully and drainage feature (e.g. buddle holes) clearance within the parish over the winter of 2020/21.
Having been contacted by many parishioners with concerns about the flooding of properties from excess surface water due to blocked drainage, the parish council was confident that the program would benefit their community. They were able to estimate that their planned program of clearance would protect at least 34% of parishioners from damage to their homes and possessions as well as harm to health from debris in surface water run-off.
The council consulted extensively with their Devon County Council Neighbourhood Highways Officer on the project to secure his approval. They briefed him on all locations included in the schedule and the potential community benefits. Prevention of excess standing water would also help prevent further deterioration to the country lanes included in the program, allowing Devon County Council to concentrate resources on undertaking essential repairs in the area.
The council had carried out a similar schedule of works during winter 2019/20 so were able to estimate the cost of the works; they applied to the Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund for 50% of the costs, and agreed to fund the rest themselves. They chose a contractor with extensive local knowledge and experience, as well as Chapter 8 training allowing them to work on the roadside. The council noted that the many benefits of the project included:
Additionally, the program of works will help build community resilience by preventing some of the problems caused by extreme weather events and flooding such as standing water.
For more information on how the Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund has helped Devon communities, see these case studies.