Devon County Council

Parish Lengthsmen are employed by SWH Ltd who are Devon County Council’s Main Contractor. Their principal role is to carry out minor highway maintenance on a regular basis, looking after a number of parishes. Each parish has a number of days allocated to this work. The Parish Lengthsman helps to alleviate regular problems relating to the highway.

As well as clearing drainage areas, trimming hedges to gain access to drainage and other outlets, clearing debris and keeping signs maintained, the Parish Lengthsman reports any larger problems to Highway Management and uses his detailed knowledge of the area to anticipate where problems may occur in future.

The Parish Lengthsman works as a one-man band, using a distinctive vehicle equipped with hand and power tools.

Members of the public, or parish councils who wish to report highway related problems in their parish can ring 0845 155 1004  or contact their Area Highway Management Office