Template:Courier-MAR-24-8a: Difference between revisions
Created page with "===ROADS CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN IS HELD BACK BY RED TAPE=== Weeds and overgrown shrubs and trees beside kerbs and pavements have been a recent focus of the Environment, Highways and Transport Committee. Surrey County Council has set out guidelines on how volunteers are able to work to improve highways in its recently published “Community Highways Volunteer Scheme Policy” – although the extent of red tape involved greatly restricts what they can do. But Claygate Parish C..." |
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Council held meetings with officers from Elmbridge Borough | Council held meetings with officers from Elmbridge Borough | ||
and Surrey County Councils and we looked at practices being | and Surrey County Councils and we looked at practices being | ||
tried elsewhere. | tried elsewhere. After research, we concluded that the state | ||
of the weeds in our kerb gullies is mainly a result of how | of the weeds in our kerb gullies is mainly a result of how | ||
Elmbridge manages the performance of Amey, its road | Elmbridge manages the performance of Amey, its road | ||
sweeping contractor. This is handled through Joint Waste | sweeping contractor. This is handled through ''Joint Waste | ||
Solutions, an independent third party, which monitors the | Solutions'', an independent third party, which monitors the | ||
borough; Amey suffers a penalty when a set measure is | borough; Amey suffers a penalty when a set measure is | ||
exceeded. But this doesn't seem to work well for Claygate's | exceeded. But this doesn't seem to work well for Claygate's | ||
Revision as of 18:32, 23 May 2024
ROADS CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN IS HELD BACK BY RED TAPE
Weeds and overgrown shrubs and trees beside kerbs and pavements have been a recent focus of the Environment, Highways and Transport Committee. Surrey County Council has set out guidelines on how volunteers are able to work to improve highways in its recently published “Community Highways Volunteer Scheme Policy” – although the extent of red tape involved greatly restricts what they can do. But Claygate Parish Council is seeking interpretations that might allow us to enable volunteers to help tidy up the streets.
Regarding weeds growing in roadside kerb gullies, the Parish Council held meetings with officers from Elmbridge Borough and Surrey County Councils and we looked at practices being tried elsewhere. After research, we concluded that the state of the weeds in our kerb gullies is mainly a result of how Elmbridge manages the performance of Amey, its road sweeping contractor. This is handled through Joint Waste Solutions, an independent third party, which monitors the borough; Amey suffers a penalty when a set measure is exceeded. But this doesn't seem to work well for Claygate's gullies and the Parish Council is continuing its dialogue with Elmbridge in search of improvements.
Sadly, so far we have been unable to to find a way to enable volunteers to help clear weeds growing at the back of pavements, where they meet walls and fences. In the meantime, we would encourage property occupiers to keep such weeds to a minimum to enhance our environment.
Trees and shrubs overhanging pavements can pose a greater risk, especially for elderly or infirm residents and for parents with prams and others with wheelchairs. We therefore ask all residents to consider whether their hedges, shrubs and trees unduly restrict the width of pavements and, if so, to cut them back in the interests of other residents.
