Introducing you to Roadmap, a highways update created specifically for Parish & Town Councils
Welcome to the fourth edition of Roadmap. Roadmap provides information and updates from the Highway Service and has been created specifically for Parish & Town Councils.
If you have any feedback please let us know as we would like to shape this publication based on your requirements. If you would like to make a contribution please also let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request. We hope to provide an edition of Roadmap twice a year, however if there is a need to increase the frequency we will look to do so.
If you would prefer not to receive future copies of this publication please unsubscribe here. Alternatively if you are aware of other members of your council who would like to receive a copy of Roadmap please advise here.
Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund (HMCEF)
The second assessment of this financial year is approaching and we have, as of 9 September, received 4 applications.
We received 5 applications for the first assessment and were able to offer the full funding for 2 applications and provide a 25% contribution for 2 other applications. The remaining application was fully supported but will be undertaken by Devon County Council rather than by a community project.
If you would like to submit a request for funding please complete our online application form.
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Parish & Town Council Conferences 2019
Following a year's hiatus, our Parish & Town Council Conferences are returning and will be held on;
- Thursday 3 October - Magelake Parish Pavillion, Uffculme
- Friday 4 October - Kenn Centre, Kennford
- Monday 7 October - Filleigh Village Hall, Filleigh
- Thursday 10 October - Rattery Village Hall, Rattery
- Tuesday 15 October - The Clinton Hall, Merton
Each event will take place between 10.00am and 1.00 pm. The format will be an exhibition style event with a number of teams, projects and initiatives having a display/stand with staff representation available to assist with any queries or concerns.
Invitations have been sent using Eventbrite. If you haven't received your invitation please check your spam/junk folder or register by clicking here.
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My tree, my responsibility
A new campaign has been launched to encourage landowners with ash trees on their properties to inspect them for ash dieback.
Our “My tree, my responsibility” campaign, supported by the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum, aims to inform owners of trees to look out for signs of the fungal tree disease and to take any appropriate action in order to maintain public safety.
More than 90% of Devon’s native ash trees are expected to be lost due to Ash dieback in the next five to 15 years.
Across the county there are around 448,000 ash trees within falling distance of the highway that are owned by third parties or on unregistered land. The overall cost of felling all of these ash trees could be more than £70 million.
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Multiple pothole reports
We now accept multiple pothole reports, in the same location, on one report submitted via our report a problem page rather than requesting separate reports.
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Devon Roadworks - Permit Scheme
Devon are proposing to move from a noticing to a permit for works scheme in early 2020.
Works promoters will apply for permission to complete works on the public highway in advance - this is a 'works permit'. Click here for further information.
Life on the verge in Devon
Since the early 1930s, the UK has lost over 97% of ancient wild flower grassland and have seen the numbers of the species they support decline - two of the UK’s 26 bumblebee species are now extinct and butterflies alone have suffered a 76% decline over the past four decades. Our road verges can support a huge range of wildlife, as long grass and wildflowers are ideal habitat for insects like bees and butterflies.
Following on from the HLF funded ‘Life on the Verge – Biosphere’ project in the North Devon Biosphere, Devon County Council have launched the ‘Life on the Verge in Devon’ initiative in order to encourage local communities to safely manage their road verges for the benefit of wildlife. Please click here for further information.
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Devon Community Wardens Facebook group
A number of you have indicated that you would find it useful to have a discussion forum available to speak with others who have undertaken works within their communities. In response we are trialling a Facebook group to see if this provides a suitable solution. The group is a place to;
- Share examples of local projects
- Discuss ideas for future projects
- Seek guidance and advice from both Devon County Council and other parish/town councils
- Share important information relating to Devon County Councils road and snow warden schemes
- Discuss opportunities for joint working and sharing tools and equipment
All parishes and town councils, signed up to the road warden scheme, and Snow Wardens, who have provided us with an email address, have been invited to the group. If you would like to become a member please let us know here (an email address is required).
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Roundabout Sponsorship and maintenance
The process for sponsoring a roundabout is currently under review and we are looking at opportunities for willing Parish and Town Councils to take on responsibility for maintaining roundabouts within their communities. The proposal would see Council’s take on local ownership for these areas with funding generated via sponsorship from local businesses and traders, the proposal builds on the success of the scheme managed by Barnstaple Town Council.
Further information will be available at the conferences in October, explaining opportunities for communities and how this might be managed. If this would be of interest to your community there will be an opportunity to register an expression of interest.
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