A NEW framework allowing local contractors with local knowledge to carry out maintenance work on Devon’s thousands of kilometres of Public Rights of Way has been approved by councillors.

The four-year agreement, approved by Devon County Council’s (DCC) cabinet on February 14, enables the authority to use smaller, local contractors to support maintenance work on Devon’s 5,000km of Public Rights of Way, 230km of off-road recreational trails, such as the Tarka Trail, and 590km of the county’s minor road network.

Contractors can be called upon to carry out maintenance and improvement work including vegetation clearance, tree work, path surfacing, drainage improvements, and bridge installation, as well as technical support such as site inspections and applying for permits and permissions, Devon County Council has said.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: ‘Our Public Rights of Way network is of high importance to residents, business and visitors providing wide ranging benefits including for active travel, tourism, health and wellbeing, wildlife and landscape.

‘Locally based contractors, particularly Small and Medium size Enterprises, provide a really important resource to enable effective maintenance – carrying out multiple work across the county for regular activities such as strimming of verges, path surfacing and drainage, installing and repairing furniture, and erecting signs and waymarking.

‘The extent of the network and range of work means we need multiple contractors, and local knowledge is important – for example in minimising travel time and costs, accessing remote locations, and in engaging with landowners.’

And the framework will also be available for use at Stover Country Park and the Grand Western Canal Country Park, and may be used by local partners such as Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park Authorities and parish and town councils.

While contractors on the framework are expected to deliver the majority of the maintenance and improvement works to the Public Rights of Way network, some work may be undertaken by landowners, local partners, volunteers or staff at Devon County Council.