Training requirements vary depending on the type of work being carried out and whether the activity takes place on or near the live carriageway.
All training requests must be submitted by the relevant council or community organisation to communityselfhelp@devon.gov.uk
Core training
We provide a short online Highway Safety Awareness course for anyone volunteering to carry out small maintenance tasks on or near a road. This includes volunteers working under the Road Warden Scheme or the Life on the Verge project. The course introduces the common risks associated with roadside work and explains how to stay safe while working in the highway environment.
Working on the live carriageway
Under Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual, anyone carrying out work on a road that is open to traffic must complete Signing, Lighting and Guarding training (often referred to as “Chapter 8 training”). This accredited course teaches volunteers how to correctly position temporary signs, cones, lights and barriers to protect themselves and road users.
If your organisation plans to carry out work on a live road, at least one in every three people working on site must hold this qualification. We fund this training up to £355 per person, for up to three people per organisation, with additional requests considered in exceptional circumstances. Failure to attend booked training without sufficient notice may result in cost recovery.
Activity specific training
Devon County Council provides method statements and guidance for a range of tasks included in the Road Warden Scheme, including:
- Verge trimming and gully cleaning
- Weed clearance
- Finger post repairs
- Small drainage works
- Sign cleaning
- Filling potholes
- Ploughing and siding out
These pages explain safe working methods, required equipment, and good practice for each activity.
The work carried out under the Road Warden Scheme is designed to be simple, low‑risk and completed using basic hand tools, with no requirement for specialist equipment. However, if a volunteer wishes to use bladed power tools (such as hedge‑cutters, brush‑cutters or chainsaws) they must be able to demonstrate that they hold the appropriate, nationally recognised qualifications for the specific equipment they intend to use. This ensures the safety of the volunteer, the wider team and the public. Volunteers may be asked to provide evidence of their training or certification before granting approval to use such tools as part of any community maintenance activity.
Training for activities outside of the Road Warden Scheme