Page last updated at 10:35 GMT, Tuesday, November 29 2011

Grass, hedges and shrub beds

Grass cutting

StreetScene cuts grass on all Borough owned land such as public open spaces, highway verges and recreation grounds during the Spring and Summer (from March to the end of October) up to 14 times in a year. The cutting increases in frequency during the growing season (April - August).

The grass cutting regime is a cut and fly operation. This means the grass is not collected by our operatives and left on the surface. Our StreetScene operatives will blow the grass off pavements and paths back on to the grassed areas within 24 hours. Cut grass will be collected from in and around children's play areas/equipment.

The grass is cut to ensure that people can use roads and pavements safely. Although the visual appearance and environmental issues are of great concern, grass cutting is actually carried out for highway safety concerns.

Council owned grass is cut in the following frequencies depending on the weather:

Hedge cutting

In the main, hedges are cut twice a year, usually between August and early March unless there has been significant growth which is causing a safety issue.

Rural hedges are cut once a year using a flail type hedge cutter. Boundary hedges are generally not the Council's responsibility and should therefore be maintained by the owner.

August onwards - siding up for pedestrian safety and ensuring vehicle sight lines are uninterrupted.

November onwards - reduction in height, including a secondary side cut.

Shrub beds

Shrub beds are maintained throughout the year. During the Summer from April to the end of July, beds will be litter picked. No pruning work will be undertaken due to birds nesting unless work has to be carried out on safety grounds.

From August until mid-March, the shrub beds will be pruned. Also during this time we have a programme of shrub bed height reduction or total replacement.

Winter hedge and shrub maintenance