Parish stewards scheme

Wiltshire Highways Service has 20 stewards, who each look after the general function and appearance of the roads, footways and furniture in their individual areas. Towns and villages are visited on a monthly basis, in a programme which is sent to each local council, in advance of the visit. The duration of each visit is varied to meet the needs of each local Council.

The stewards are equipped with a purpose–built Land Rover vehicle, which is clearly marked and fully equipped to attend to most events. A system of satellite tracking and mobile radio and telephone communications enable the stewards to respond very rapidly to a wide variety of problems, which occur on the roads.

The scheme was introduced in the autumn of 2006 and has proved extremely popular with many Parish and Town Councils. The work of the stewards has begun to restore the appearance of many areas, a process often regarded as crucial in protecting civil pride.

Examples of winter work, which is routinely undertaken include:

  • hand clearing of drainage grips and drain gully cover
  • clearing of small culverts, pipes and pits.
  • clearing storm debris
  • trimming encroaching hedges from around road signs
  • cleaning and straightening small road signs
  • hand cutting small visibility areas

In the summer, tasks can also include

  • painting railings
  • cutting growth from around signs and railings
  • cutting growth from drainage grips
  • removal of ragwort
  • treatment/removal of weeds, in rural areas

During times of extreme weather, the stewards are the first line of response, during normal working hours. Outside of normal hours most stewards actively participate on a call-out basis.

The stewards do not operate in isolation and are supported in their role by many mechanised resources, where the work exceeds what one man may achieve. They include verge mowers, high-pressure drain cleaning machines and the county's multi-purpose fleet of Unimog vehicles.”

Contact Details

Email: clarence@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0800 23 23 23 - From landlines within Wiltshire: or 01225 77 72 34 From Mobiles and from outside Wiltshire.
Fax: 01225 713488
Postal Address:
Customer Services
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

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Last updated: 15 March 2010