Snow wardens needed in Exeter this winter

Devon's snow warden scheme is extending to Exeter ahead of this coming winter.

The self-help initiative, run by Devon County Council, was successfully rolled-out across towns and rural parishes in the county last year, with 265 (63%) of them signing up.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said:

"The snow warden scheme is about self-help which enables communities to work together on a voluntary basis during times of extreme weather, such as the heavy snow that we saw in 2009 and 2010.

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"The scheme has proven extremely popular in towns and parishes and we're now looking for community groups and residents' associations in Exeter to come forward if they would like to nominate a snow warden from their community to act as liaison with the County Council."

By signing up to the scheme and taking local ownership, local volunteers can be coordinated through a designated snow warden.

The snow warden is the key point of contact between the local community and Devon County Council, receiving advice, training and if appropriate, small amounts of salt from the County Council.

The announcement has come in the same week as the news that the UK could face "wild extremes" this winter due to a record loss of Arctic sea ice.

Councillor Hughes added:

"Devon's 8,000 mile road network is bigger than any other local authority in the country, and although the County Council's combined primary and secondary salting routes cover more than 2,000 miles, the focus has to be on the major routes which carry the most traffic.

"This sometimes means that footways in residential areas may not be treated, but this is precisely where the Snow Wardens can make a difference."

When the scheme was first announced early last year it received a mix reaction from Exeter residents with Councillor Pete Edwards stating in an Express & Echo article:

"I can imagine snow wardens could work in a little village, but in Exeter I think it would be better to have salt bins in strategic places, such as on hills, around the city and people could just go to them when needed."

If your community group or residents' association would like to register for the snow warden scheme, please contact our Customer Service Centre Roads Team on 0845 155 1004.