We are responsible for almost 7 square kilometres of grass cutting, 243,235.5 square metres of hedge maintenance and 945,091 linear metres of highway weed treatment.
We are currently undertaking a programme of remedial works on play areas right across the borough.
We aim to keep our parks and green spaces looking good all year round.
Our work is in conjunction with our colleagues in Housing and with volunteers from across the borough including friends’ groups and litter busters.
Our work includes:
- Grass cutting: our mowing season starts around the end of March and ends in October. Most grass plots are cut around six times during this period.
- Tractor mowing: some larger grass plots require tractor or tractor flail mowing. We aim for six cuts per season on these sites.
- Weed control: we treat weeds twice a year on hard surfaces around our council buildings and housing estates.
- Sports pitches: we mark out and maintain around 60 football pitches and 5 bowling greens (during seasons).
- Hedge cutting: we trim ‘current season’ growth to hedges, usually once per year during July and August. We do not conduct invasive pruning of hedges during this time, due to the bird nesting season (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).
- Trees: our arboriculture team looks after our trees, completing surveys and carrying out works when necessary to keep people safe, keep our trees healthy, and protect the homes of birds and wildlife. Find out more on our trees page.
- Countryside Maintenance: our team of specialist operatives look after our countryside locations and Nature Reserves.
Japanese knotweed
Japanese Knotweed is a serious threat to natural habitats. Find out more about Japanese Knotweed, control and disposal:
Further information
Why are grass clippings not removed?
The clippings are short and mulch down quickly which slows down regrowth. Raking up, loading, transporting and getting rid of them would also increase costs.
Can I cut the grass verge outside my house?
We know that some people like to cut the grass near their home more often than we do. You should be aware of the possible risk of injury to yourself, passing pedestrians and traffic.
Can we undertake private garden work?
No. If you need someone to undertake gardening or tree work on your own private property, you will need to contact one of the local lawn-mowing or tree services. The Yellow Pages is the best place to start looking but try to ensure that you use fully insured contractors.
How do you decide what work to undertake?
Our work is issued on a four weekly programme and the Area Managers and Supervisors have the freedom to plan their own work within each period. For example litter collection is issued on a four weekly basis may not be undertaken during the first week of each period. However, regular tasks should be undertaken on an evenly spaced frequency wherever possible or practicable.
Please be aware that this is a guide only, as horticultural activities are often dependent upon weather conditions and as such may vary from the times specified.
Dealing with an issue with High Hedges
Provided you have tried and exhausted all other avenues for resolving your hedge dispute, you are able to take your complaint about a neighbour's evergreen hedge to your local authority.