COMMUNITIES who ask to use their own money to make minor improvements to roads in their area will soon be able to do so after Devon County Council’s Cabinet gave the go-ahead.

Councillors have approved recommendations for a Community Self-Delivery of Highway Improvements trial.

It follows the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee considering the proposals last month.

A step-by-step guide or ‘checklist’ will be published enabling communities to understand the steps that are required before any work is carried out.

The trial follows a number of requests, received by the Highways and Traffic Management service, from communities for permission to pay for and make small improvements to a highway in their area.

These requests are where communities have funding in place, but the service lacks the capacity to deliver it on their behalf as quickly as they would like.

Self-delivery could be for a 20mph zone or traffic calming for instance.

The results of the trial will then inform whether the proposal is turned into a permanent scheme.

The guide itself has been co-authored by the Highways and Traffic Management Service with the support of the Engineering Design Group and lays out the typical steps that need consideration before work is carried out.

Steps include appointing a competent designer, environmental considerations, road safety and maintenance audits, consultation with affected parties and any changes to Traffic Regulation Orders.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management said: ‘We as elected members are often approached by our local town and parish councils who would like to progress minor highway improvements which do not necessarily match the priorities of the broader county council.

‘This trial will enable communities to self-deliver minor improvements and is a continuation of the successful road warden and snow warden scheme.

‘The learning from the trial will help determine whether the arrangement is made permanent.

‘I thank the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee for considering this matter, for their input and support for the trial.

‘Their suggestion of a checklist for town and parish councils supporting the community in carrying out these works will be included in the guidance documents to support the initiative.’