Today will see the start of essential grass cutting in public spaces – by Bath & North East Somerset Council – to ensure responsible public use can continue throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
Highway verges are now long which can reduce visibility for drivers making essential journeys so verges will be cut where needed for maintenance.
Verges next to footways in built-up areas will also be cut to ensure pedestrian safety is maintained.
Council staff will follow social distancing guidelines at all times while carrying out the works.
Leaving the grass to grow for extended periods of time would mean the council’s machines would not be able to cope with the longer grass and there would be excessive grass cuttings left on pavements/parked cars.
As in previous years, suitable areas will be left unmown for longer periods to encourage wildflowers to grow, which in turn encourages bees and other pollinators to thrive.
Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “We have reduced our verge cutting schedule while we continue to ensure essential services are delivered during Coronavirus, but if we leave it any longer it will be a much bigger job with more staff needed.
It’s a case of maintaining it now to avoid less work and cost in future and the works are essential to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians. I’d like to reassure residents that our staff will follow social distancing rules to keep themselves and others safe.”
Since last year the council has been supporting the pollinator action plan Let’s Get Bath Buzzing by reducing the number of times grass in public spaces is cut. This helps halt the decline in insect pollinators. Bees and other creatures are critical as they pollinate trees, increasing oxygen and helping the climate emergency.
