Highways team win an OSCA for work during floods

The south Shropshire and Bridgnorth highways technicians who worked around the clock dealing with the aftermath of last summer’s floods have been named overall winners in Shropshire County Council’s ‘outstanding contribution awards’ (OSCAs) for 2007/2008.

The annual awards recognise the individuals and teams that have made outstanding contributions to the work of Shropshire County Council in the past 12 months. Prizes are awarded in three categories: individual, team and volunteer, and one of these is also named overall winner.

The highways technicians – who were also named winning team – are responsible for maintaining roads and drains in Bridgnorth and south Shropshire.

When the flash floods hit the Bridgnorth and south Shropshire area last July, they worked around the clock to help deal with the resulting devastation.

They answered hundreds of calls from the public, delivered sandbags, closed and repaired roads, pavements and even bridges that had been damaged or washed away, rescued stranded residents, and helped to save properties.

Malcolm Pate, Leader of Shropshire County Council, said: “The highways technicians fully deserve this award. In extreme weather conditions they put their social lives on hold and act over and above the call of duty to keep the roads network moving and keep it safe. This has never been more true than during last’s summer floods.

“By responding so quickly and expertly they minimised the devastation and disruption that would have ensued."

“Their work goes mostly unnoticed by the public, and the team believe it’s all in a day’s work and don’t see themselves as anything special. But they really are unsung heroes of Shropshire County Council.”

The technicians also worked long into the night in January 2007 following gales and floods. And when snow fell in February they worked hour after hour dealing with the resulting chaos on the county’s roads.

The other OSCA winners announced today (Friday) were:

- Individual award – Gary Dixon, Learning & Training Employment Manager. Gary has significantly increased the number of people with disabilities participating in New Deal for Disabled People – and helped more than 200 people with disabilities into sustained employment.

- Volunteer award – The Voluntary Car Service volunteers. More than 100 volunteer drivers and escorts provide around 900 journeys a week to people who are incapacitated, have no access to a car, or cannot cope with public transport. Last year they covered around one million miles a year on journeys in and outside of Shropshire.

7 March 2008