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Press Releases
From Michaila Hill, Exeter 382535, September 05,2008
With Met Office forecasts warning of more heavy rain over the weekend, Devon County Council's Highways Operations Control Centre is warning road users to take extra care.
The Highways Operations Control Centre has been extra busy today with 359 calls. These have included reports of fallen and damaged trees bringing down overhead telephone cables and blocking roads.
The heavy rain has also caused localised flooding, with roads and some properties overwhelmed with water. Some minor roads have been closed as rivers burst their banks and drains fought to cope with the high volumes of water, hampered by the strong wind which has caused debris to block drains and gullies.
Extra officers have been drafted to staff Devon County Council's Control Room over the weekend to coordinate the county wide response to the adverse weather conditions, and outside crews will be working around the clock responding quickly to any problems and clearing the roads to ensure the county keeps moving.
The Council's Highway Operation Control Centre (HOCC) operates 24 hours every day of the year, monitoring the entire county's road network. From the HOCC, maintenance work is coordinated through Highway Superintendents based around the county with the Council's contractors South West Highways Ltd. The Environment Agency, emergency services and District Councils are also kept informed to relevant incidents.
NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS
Devon County Council is responsible for over 12,800 km (8,000 miles) of road from major A roads to narrow country lanes. This is the longest network in England.
The Council's contractor, SWH Ltd, has a workforce based at strategic locations to provide an effective response to any problems that may occur.
- Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
- Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey
- Budget £800 million
- Key investments include:
- Schools £349 million
- Adult and Community Services £164 million
- Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
- Children and Young People £101 million
- Other important County Council support includes:
- Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres
- Political make-up:
- County Council seats: 62
- 33 Liberal Democrat
- 23 Conservative
- 4 Labour
- 2 Independent
- Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009
- Key stats:
- Population: 741,000
- Schools: 365
- Pupils: 96,200
- Children looked after: 584
- Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
- Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
- Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
- Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
- Bridges: 3,500
- Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
- Streetlights: 71,000
- Illuminated road signs: 10,917
- Recycling Centres: 20
- Recycling rate: 49.21%
Figures may be subject to change
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