Community Highways Volunteer initiative
Surrey's Community Vision for 2030 contains the ambition that "residents live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities".
This ambition reflects our desire to preserve the county for future generations and recognises that people and organisations are collectively responsible for ensuring Surrey is safe, free from pollution and has open, green spaces to enjoy in the future.
Surrey Highways has developed the Community Highways Volunteer initiative to support residents and community groups (through a town/parish council or residents association) to take on responsibility for the delivery of certain maintenance activities in their area.
How to get started
For an informal discussion and information about next steps, please contact us at highways.volunteering@surreycc.gov.uk
Types of work which can be carried out
Subject to agreement, the following types of work could be included in a volunteering scheme:
- Cutting back vegetation overhanging the road or footway
- Clearing footways of weeds/moss
- Removing vegetation from parapets or fences
- Signs, excluding street name plates (including reflector posts) for example: cleaning, minor repairs
- Drainage for example: localised ditching, cleaning channels
- Storm debris and litter
- In some cases, hedges or ditches are not maintained by the council and would therefore not be eligible.
Safety of volunteers
Working on or close to the public highway (road, verge and footway) can be dangerous. It is possible to be seriously injured or cause serious injury to others. All Surrey County Council (and contractor) staff undergo regular training and hold appropriate certification before carrying out work on the highway. In general, volunteers will not have benefited from the same level of training and are not experienced in working near live traffic.
We can provide guidance and information about how to do this. All volunteers under the Council's guidance will also be indemnified under the Council's insurance policy against claims for injury or damage to property.
Further information
Please see the Community Highways Volunteering Policy (PDF) and Community Highways Volunteering Guidance (PDF) for full details.