In 2019, the Corporate, Infra structure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee received a report about the Maintenance of Vegetation and Drainage Adjacent to the Highway Maintenance of Vegetation and Drainage Adjacent to the Highway.
What actions followed this report? What decisions were made, when and by whom? What communication and consultation was made regarding this issue, given that it affects not only large landowners, but also householders who have their homes and gardens adjacent to the roadway network in Devon, often occupied by elderly people?
The option referred to was considered by Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee in June 2019, but it was not put forward to Cabinet to be progressed.
Instead the Committee recommended to Cabinet:
(a) that the relevant Cabinet Member be asked to:
(1) where appropriate, write to Landowners to prompt them and their tenants to undertake their duties regarding maintenance and drainage adjacent to the highway;
(2) write to the National Farmers Union (NFU) and Country Land and Business Association (CLA) to request a meeting to discuss responsibilities with a view to improving the current situation; and
(3) consider inviting the NFU to the planned local conferences.
(b) that Cabinet ask the Communications team to publicise the policy and responsibilities of landowners and tenants regarding ash die back, hedge cutting and drainage.
The full minutes of this Committee meeting are available on our website at the following link (minute 135) Agenda for Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 25th June, 2019.
The matter was subsequently considered by Cabinet who endorsed the recommendations made by the Committee and this can be seen in minute 379 at the following link Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 10th July, 2019.
How was this communicated and consulted upon, given that Covid intervened? How were householders informed of this change in Devon Highways approach to the ditches?
The subject of responsibilities for drainage was featured at a series of Parish and Town Council conferences in Autumn 2019, and the following letter Drainage Responsibilies was sent to all Local Councils in February 2020.
Our website informs on responsibilities for drainage Flooding and drainage as well as responsibilities being explained in our Farming and the Public Highway Leaflet.
What assessments and reports have been done regarding the damage to highways following this shifting of responsibility for maintenance, given the increasing deterioration of our roads?
As the option referred to was not put forward to be progressed, no assessments or reports are available on the impact on highways.
Information on the condition of Devon’s highways is reported annually to Cabinet as part of the County Road Highway Maintenance report. The April 2023 report is available at the following link County Road Highway Maintenance Capital Budget Programme 2023 24.