Highland Council to resume 'limited grass cutting' of public land, but warns public not to interpret move as green light to ignore Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown restrictions
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GRASS cutting on public land is to be resumed again after it was put on hold during the coronavirus lockdown.
Highland Council said it will begin a "restricted" grass cutting service across the region.
Despite significant challenges in terms of staffing, the council said it was pleased to be in a position to deliver a limited service.
It stressed that all work will be carried out in adherence to national lockdown guidelines, with strict social distancing measures in place.
But the council warned the public that its move towards limited grass cutting should not be interpreted "as any lifting of the lock down requirements".
It said that the services permitted will focus mainly on mowed grass and include:
- Essential maintenance on the roadside, roundabouts and verges where there may be a road safety issue.
- Grass cutting in parks to enable people to take their daily exercise. Play parks are to remain closed.
- Limited grass cutting in burial grounds, areas of council housing and in some other open spaces.
The council also said that a wide array of grounds maintenance deemed "non-essential" cannot be undertaken at this time. This includes:
- Strimming activities.
- Maintenance of any rough-cut areas.
- Strimming back of daffodil beds.
- Maintenance of shrub & flower beds, unless it is with herbicide for weed control.
- Litter picking of amenity areas.
- Maintenance of old burial grounds and unused sections, which are no longer used for burials.
The vice-convener of Highland Council, Cllr Alan Henderson, said: “The council is grateful to communities undertaking grass cutting and strimming works to prevent deterioration of the amenity in their areas.
"This is appreciated now the growing season is under way, of course communities must assess the risks of carrying out this task, and adhere to Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance at all times particularly on social distancing.”
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