For all types of grass cutting, factors such as weather, machinery breakdown, staff levels and emergency work can all cause changes to the programme.
Types of grass cutting
Long grass beneath trees and biodiversity
We have an increasing number of biodiversity areas across the borough. Some of these are open wildflower areas and some are long grass under trees. Long grass under trees has fewer flowers but is still very important habitat for wildlife and helps protect trees. See our Roadside Nature Reserve information.
Rural verges
The rural verges are cut twice a year May to July and September to November depending on weather. This is done using a tractor and a side arm flail.
High speed roads
Dual carriageways and other high speed roads need traffic management to protect our team from danger. To minimise traffic disruption these are cut twice a year.
Embankments
We have a number of grass embankments at entrances and exits of underpasses throughout Bracknell. These are more difficult to cut and need a special remote-controlled mower because of the steep slope. These are cut approximately once a month during the season.
Residential verges
We cut most council owned grass approximately every 2 weeks between the months of March to October.
As well as mowers we also foot strim around street name plates, signposts, litter bins and post boxes. These are slower than the mowers so there might be a delay of several days between areas that are mowed and areas that are strimmed.
Where machinery crosses roads and pavements it can spray or leave clippings on the hard surface, especially when wet. We aim to clean the worst of this by mechanical blower or sweeper. However there are times where not all areas are perfect. There may also be a few days delay between the grass cutting and the cleaning up.
Collection of cut grass
Our team do not collect cut grass. Most of the time the grass is neat and short and therefore the fallen clippings are not noticeable. Wildflower areas are an exception.
When the weather is warm and wet, and at the start of the season, the grass can grow fast and get very long very quickly. When the grass is cut during these conditions the result can be poor quality, leaving large clods, and mohican like strips of missed grass, which is unsightly and messy. Unfortunately, we cannot collect this grass. The time needed and bulk and weight for disposal is not viable. Instead, we will cut the grass again a few weeks later or sooner which will disperse the clods, tidy the cut and improve conditions.
Use our online form to report any grass cutting issues.
Report a grounds maintenance issue
Damage to grass area
Most areas of damaged grass will regenerate naturally. If the damage relates to a grass verge and you think it is hazardous, use our online road repairs and issues form and select 'Damage to roads, verges, pavements and kerbs'.
Report damage to a grass verge
For reports about damage caused by cars parking on grass areas, use our online parking enquiry form and select 'Reporting issues concerning parking on a road, verge or pavement'.