Residents in Church Preen, Hughley, and Kenley are taking a hands-on role in maintaining their local infrastructure through a newly launched “road warden” pilot scheme. This partnership between the Parish Council and Shropshire Council empowers trained volunteers to handle minor highway tasks that often face delays when managed centrally.
Community-led maintenance for local lanes
The initiative is modeled after the successful Devon Road Warden Scheme, which has operated for several years. Under this framework, local volunteers—including farmers and builders—coordinate through the parish council to address small-scale issues. The primary goal is to improve the appearance and safety of rural roads while reducing the immediate pressure on Shropshire Council resources.
| Task Category | Permitted Activities |
|---|---|
| Drainage | Clearing ditches and unblocking drains to prevent flooding |
| Maintenance | Sign cleaning, litter picking, and leaf clearance |
| Vegetation | Minor trimming of verges and hedges |
| Road Surface | Small pothole repairs using cold lay materials on quiet roads |
Priority on drainage and pothole prevention
A central focus for the Church Preen road wardens is the “get the water off the roads” strategy. By fixing ditches and clearing muck from drains, volunteers aim to prevent water from sitting on the tarmac, which is the leading cause of pothole formation.
Richard Roycroft, chair of Church Preen, Hughley & Kenley Parish Council, noted that nearly 40 residents attended the initial volunteer meeting. Local businesses and visitors have frequently reported tyre and wheel damage due to the state of the lanes, making these preventative measures a high priority for the community.
Safety and governance framework
All volunteer activity operates under a strict governance framework to ensure safety and accountability. Volunteers wear mandatory personal protective equipment and work only within a tightly controlled scope. Activities involving live carriageways, working at height, or the use of power tools remain prohibited unless specifically authorized.
Shropshire Council provides technical guidance, oversight, and practical backup, such as specialized drainage teams for issues beyond the wardens’ scope. Residents can still report major or safety-critical defects through the standard council reporting channels, with wardens acting as additional eyes and ears on the ground. The pilot will be monitored via response times and community feedback to determine if the scheme should expand to other Shropshire parishes.
Source: Shropshire Council Newsroom
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