Volunteer Road Warden Scheme - a Parish Perspective

As many will know our endlessly enthusiastic county councillor, Louise Wainwright has developed a county wide initiative to fix some of the many potholes we all endure daily.

I like many will believe potholes should be fixed by DCC Highways but due to the sheer scale of the problem and lack of funding, the minor roads and smaller potholes are being neglected entirely.

This is where the idea of a local volunteer force, reminding me of Dads Army, was born. The intention is for groups of 3 or 4 volunteers who can identify then fix these non-defective potholes, as they are called, and let DCC concentrate on fixing the major ones, yes, you guessed it called defective ones. With training given the volunteer force should be able to differentiate between the two.

So, what for Loddiswell ?

Last weekend we had a pothole demo day at Station Road with the seasoned volunteer pothole team from Modbury, led by hero Bill Cole showing us how it is done. All materials, training, and insurance is given by DCC except for essential tools, like tamping poles, which must be purchased which seems a bit mean.

I didn’t believe a Sunday sunny afternoon was the best time to stage the event but the German film crew that was there had a tight schedule. It appears Germany has many pothole issues as well and were keen to learn and create a documentary on this local initiative.

Going forward there will be an opportunity to learn more of what this whole project entails as part of a social event at the pavilion, date to be confirmed.

In the meantime, more information about becoming involved can be obtained from the parish clerk, Fiona Stace.

Email clerk@loddiswell-pc.gov.uk

It may take off or may not it’s entirely up to us.

Regards,

Paul Harvey

Chair LPC