HIGHWAY Rangers are being welcomed back to Epping Forest District, as a way of taking back control of some of the local highways issues.

Two rangers are currently undergoing training to pick up some of the tasks around the upkeep of the local environment.

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) is working in partnership with Essex County Council Highways to provide the service. EFDC and town and parish councils are contributing to a pot of money to pay for repairs to things like fingerposts which are seen as an important part of the district’s street scene heritage.

Rangers will be undertaking tasks such as cleaning and minor repairs to non-electrical road signs, trimming vegetation and grass cutting, cleaning and minor excavation of roadside water channels and litter picking from highway land.

The news was welcomed at this week’s Cabinet meeting with members commenting on the move to give the council more control over local issues.

Cllr Holly Whitbread made special thanks to Service Director Kim Durani and his team for their tireless efforts in bringing the service back in house.

Council Leader Chris Whitbread added: It’s great news to have the Highways Rangers under Epping Forest District control. I welcome our additional investment in these difficult times and we look forward to them being able to do more to improve our district.