Great Yarmouth Borough Council keeping neighbourhoods tidy with new grass-cutting schedule

Grass cutting began at the start of March, about a month earlier than usual, in an effort to make sure as much of the borough can be covered as spring growth begins in earnest.

Councillor Paul Wells, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, Licensing and Waste, said: ''We know how important it is to our residents that the borough looks as tidy as possible. It is also good for our visitors to see grass and verges well tended and maintained.

''The work is a priority for the council and we wanted to improve and build on how we have previously managed the tasks. With that in mind, we began recruiting seasonal staff and working out the programme earlier than usual.

''Fortunately, the weather has been on our side so far, and the recent dry spell means we are making good progress and hopefully people will notice the improvements.''

Grass cutting and maintenance is designed to be environmentally sensitive, with the council conscious of biodiversity and when and where to cut appropriately to encourage and protect flora and fauna wherever possible.

There are currently 13 dedicated council sites across the borough - a mix of open green spaces and larger roadside grassed areas - that are specifically managed to promote biodiversity.

The first cut of highway verges has been completed ahead of schedule and crews are about half-way through the second cut with minimal time lost to poor weather. The council says it has also re-organised how work is completed to make it more efficient. Using a 'one pass' model means tractor and perimeter crews work in tandem to ensure the schedule of cuts coincides at larger spaces and recreation grounds.

Councillor Wells said: ''We are delighted we have been able to get ahead of our programme of grass cutting this year. We know the weather will break at some point and the 'spring flush' will see grass grow quickly. Being prepared puts us in a good position.''

At the same time, the council's teams have been hard at work to tidy and spruce up areas of high footfall and gateways into the borough.

In Great Yarmouth, this includes a focus on the Market Place and Market Gates area. While Caister Road and North Quay have seen kerb lines and pavements improved. Priory Plain and Church Plain have had walkways tidied up and Trafalgar Road has seen the pavement edge cleared.

Weeds have been scraped out at Gorleston Cliffs steps and the Beacon Park cycleway - which was very overgrown - has been cleared to make it easier to use.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council cuts grass and maintains land under its control, such as sports pitches, open green spaces and Gorleston and Great Yarmouth seafront areas, it also cuts highway verges in urban areas on behalf of Norfolk County Council.

The county council requires four cuts per year, however GYBC pays for additional work and this year eight cuts are scheduled.

Highway verges outside of urban areas are maintained by Norfolk County Council or, in the case of trunk roads, National Highways. Great Yarmouth Borough Council is not responsible for parish playing fields or privately owned land.