PARISHES are tackling problem roads by forging stronger links with their local highways department. Ickleton, Duxford and Whittlesford were among the first villages in South Cambridgeshire to trial a pilot scheme. A volunteer from each village has been ap

PARISHES are tackling problem roads by forging stronger links with their local highways department.

Ickleton, Duxford and Whittlesford were among the first villages in South Cambridgeshire to trial a pilot scheme.

A volunteer from each village has been appointed as a Parish Highway Warden and will act as a liaison with the highway depots run by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC).

Councillor for the Duxford division, Cllr Tim Stone, who volunteered his area for the initiative, said: "I believe that parishes are the key to local democracy and it only makes sense for the county and parishes to work more closely together.

"The Parish Warden scheme is an excellent example of how it can be achieved so I'm delighted that we've been able to set it up in Duxford division first."

The newly appointed wardens have already visited the Whittlesford depot, where they met with key highways staff and discussed issues relevant to their parishes.

As part of the induction programme, wardens took part in a depot walkabout and were given a view of the coming year's work programme and the works scheduled to take place in their area. The wardens were also given an oversight of available budgets, likely budget pressures and highway policy changes.

Parish Highway Warden for Whittlesford, Ken Winterbottom, said: "The open day was an eye-opener - some of the issues we raised were dealt with straight away and I feel confident that this is going to bring some real results for our parishes in getting the most out of their highways service."

Cabinet member for growth and infrastructure at CCC, Cllr Matt Bradney, said: "The pilot scheme should foster much better understanding of what works we are able to undertake and what works we are not able to undertake and why."

The scheme is being trialled in the Duxford electoral division where the parish highway wardens are Terry Sadler for Ickleton, Ken Winterbottom for Whittlesford, Norman Foster and Tim Chudleigh for Duxford, Terry Smith for Thriplow and Peter Draper for Pampisford.