Working with our community

Highways volunteer scheme

This scheme has been created following requests from our communities and an increasing appetite from local volunteers to carry out some minor highway maintenance themselves where it is safe to do so. This enables community groups (through town or parish councils) to take on the responsibility for carrying out these activities in their area.

How to get involved

This scheme needs to be signed up for via your local town or parish council, with a nominated person to liaise with one of our Highways Co-Ordinators. An agreement form would be required along with full details of everyone who will be working on the scheme.

In return, we will provide basic tools appropriate for the job, personal protective equipment and cover under our Public Liability Insurance.

Scope of work

When you sign up, the following works can be undertaken:

• Weed/foliage clearance – removal of excess growth from Public Right of Way footpaths and footways on the highway
• Sign cleaning – cleaning of signs
• Siding out – removal of grass, soil and weeds encroaching upon footpaths and footways
• Cleaning around gullies – removal of soil and debris from around gully frames and gratings
• Small drainage works – the removal of vegetation and debris from water channels (excluding ditches) and grips
• Finger post repairs – maintenance, replacement and repair of finger posts
• Hedge/tree cutting – cutting back of hedges on roadside banks, verges, public rights of way, and small branches and offshoots of trees that obstruct the highway or obscure road signs
• Other works – as agreed with our Highways service