A pilot scheme to help reduce the number of potholes on Norfolk's rural roads, could see parish councils paying £300 a year for the extra service,

Eastern Daily Press:

The Parish Highways Ranger Service, a partnership scheme between parish councils and Norfolk County Council (NCC), has been running since 2010. It involves the ranger team visiting each parish to undertake minor highway maintenance activities.

Speaking at Norfolk County Council's environment, development and transport committee on Friday, Bev Spratt, Conservative councillor for West Depwade, said the service made 'a real difference to communities'.

Now NCC will be piloting a new service in South Norfolk where parishes can 'buy' additional Highway Ranger visits and if it's successful, it may be rolled out across the county.

Mr Spratt added: 'These various highways schemes are the only way we will get things done in Norfolk's rural villages. We have had good support from villages in South Norfolk where the pilot scheme for the repair of potholes was rolled out.'

Aslacton and Tibenham parish councils have already signed up for the new scheme, allowing the villages to get potholes filled at a cost of £300.

But concerns were raised about the service at yesterday's meeting.

Stuart Clancy, Conservative councillor for Taverham, emphasised that there could be a danger of parish councils feeling 'under the cosh' to pay the additional money.

He said: 'The role of the county council is to fill the potholes.'

Of the Highway Ranger Service, Mr Spratt added: 'The service has been maintained, even though cost pressures and resources pressures have fluctuated since 2010. This included the receipt of the extra pothole repair funding from central government in 2014, which had to be spent within a very short timescale.'

What do you think about parish councils' spending additional money to repair potholes? Please write to The Letters Editor, EDP Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email EDPLetters@archant.co.uk