Parish council wants to take on road maintenance

Work could include cutting back roadside hedges or repairing pot holes

A parish council has asked to take over responsibility for the upkeep of its roads.

With the agreement of Shropshire Council, it would mean Church Preen, Hughley and Kenley Parish Council monitoring 23km (14 miles) of minor roads.

Because of the need to make big budget cuts, Shropshire Council has said it is willing for parish councils, voluntary groups and communities to 'take ownership' of local priorities like minor roads.

Under the pilot scheme, the parish council would identify jobs which needed doing and then work with Shropshire Council to complete them.

A parish council sub-committee would meet monthly and agree the priority needs with Shropshire's highways team.

It would also ensure adequate training was given, submit photos and notes of all work done, and maintain regular accounts and stock records.

Jobs could include cutting back plants from signs, checking drains, clearing ditches, minor pothole repairs, checking lights and fly-tipping clearance.

The parish council would ask Shropshire Council to lend it cones and roadwork signs, help members with training, provide road repair materials and check on its existing public liability cover and any necessary upgrades.

Parish councillors are discussing the proposal with Shropshire Council cabinet members.

'Keen to give it a go'

Shropshire councillor Chris Naylor said the inspiration came from Devon County Council, which already allowed town and parish councils to deliver minor highway works.

He said he had met with members of the parish council and people living in the area and they wanted to do something about the roads.

"These are farmers and other practical people who know how to fix drains, sort hedges, clear signs and even the smaller potholes," he said.

Parish council chair Richard Roycroft said a lot of people were keen to help, including resident Simon Martin, who has been a volunteer litter-picker for years.

He said: "I know others like me want to help, maybe a day a month to start. I'm very keen to give this a go."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.