Last updated:
21st March 2024
If an area has been missed
Generally our contractors will not be able to return to cut a missed patch. We receive numerous requests for the contractors to return. If we authorise all of these requests the normal routes would be severely disrupted causing further delays to the rest of the borough.
Why we missed an area
There are many reasons why an area of grass may have been missed. See some of the most common below.
Daffodils and tulips
In areas where daffodil and tulip bulbs have been flowering, we'll leave the grass until 6 weeks after the flowers have finished blooming to ensure they return the following spring. We'll cut the grass during the next round of cutting.
Where a resident has been maintaining it
If we find an area where it looks like a resident is maintaining it we won't cut it.
This is because if a resident is taking care of an area they are likely to be upset by our large machinery leaving possible damage or a poor cut to the carefully attended area.
If you want the contractors to cut the grass, please don't cut it yourself and leave it to be cut during the next visit.
Rare wildflowers, birds or animals
If we get reports of rare wildflowers, birds or animals in an area we won't cut the grass in the area to protect the species for a time, for example until the end of the nesting season.
Standing water
If there's standing water in an area which is stopping us cutting the grass, we'll leave it and try to cut in the next round.
If you believe an area of council-owned land has been missed
We'll check the area and raise this with our contractors so it is not missed during the next grass cutting round.
Report a missed area of council-owned grass
If cutting hasn't met our standards
Our contractors cut to a certain standard, however are some issues that can interfere with that standard.
Scalping
Where there are uneven ground levels, a tyre of the mower can dip down causing the blade to scalp over lumps or slopes of uneven ground. This is not intentional and often cannot be helped - the contractors will not be sent back to rectify the damage.
Tufts or uneven grass
Where there is long grass growth, machinery will often have problems cutting through the amount of grass and may not leave an even cut:
- You may see tufts or ridges of longer grass. This is due to the wheels of the machine pushing the long grass flat as they pass over. Once pushed flat it is missed by the blades.
- This cannot be prevented when dealing with long grass and the contractors will not be sent back to rectify the issue.
- Sending the contractors back disrupts the rounds and may cause further delays between cuts across the Borough.
