Sweeping

We are sorry for the delay

Updated Friday 26 May

Sweeping began in central areas last week. Our teams are working to catch up but it is likely we won’t move into the north areas until the end of June, a little behind schedule. 

Our cleaning standards are in line with the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse.

The sweeping team check all roads and footpaths managed by the council 4 times a year. Only areas that are below standard and need sweeping are cleaned. This means our team are not cleaning areas that don’t need cleaning and can focus on areas where they are needed most.

To make sure we are able to check all areas 4 times a year, the borough is divided into 3 zones: south central and north.

Areas within each zone are as follows:

  • south: central Sandhurst, College Town, Owlsmoor, Little Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Great Hollands
  • central: Bullbrook, Crown Wood, Hanworth, Birch Hill, Wildridings, Central, Forest Park and The Warren
  • north: Binfield, Warfield, Priestwood, Ascot, Winkfield, Cranbourne, Chavey Down, Warfield and Harvest Ride

We aim to reach each zone once a quarter as shown below:

  • south - January, April, July, October
  • central - February, May, August, November
  • north - March, June, September, December

The above is for guidance only. Weather, machinery breakdown, staff levels and emergency work can cause delays.

Our sweeper fleet consists of different sized road sweepers. This is so we have sweepers to suit main roads, minor roads, housing areas and footpaths.

If you see a sweeper leave an area before it has finished, it may need to off load the sweepings and return. It may also be because a smaller sweeper is needed before sweeping can resume.

Where areas need cleaning but are inaccessible, for example where cars are parked, the team will attempt to return while they are still in the area. Unfortunately, if the area remains obstructed, sweeping cannot be completed.

You can report a sweeping issue if there are problems in your street. For example, when there is a build-up of dirt, debris or leaves.

Report an issue

Gravel or mud on the road can be caused by work from a building development, utility company, farmland or private property. They are responsible for clearing this debris.

The council does not provide extra sweeping services for this.

If you are concerned about safety relating to mud on the road caused by a building development or other third party, please report below.

Report mud on the road caused by third party

The council is responsible for keeping highways and roads clean and free from spillages. Where spillages are of a hazardous nature, the local police and fire service may also be involved and road closures may be required. Spillages on the highway can lead to road traffic accidents or, at the very least, expense to the council.

Spillages could include oil, gravel or sand on the road or items that have fallen from a lorry or truck.

If you have been involved in an accidental spillage or see an incident of spillage on the highway, report it. If you have any details of the offender, let us know - it may help us to recover the costs.

Report a spillage

Private roads and land

We are not responsible for sweeping or clearing spillages on private roads or private land. It is the duty of the landowner to make sure that the area is cleared.

Autumn leaves

From mid October to late January our street cleansing contractor works hard to clear the huge quantity of leaves that have fallen from the many trees across the borough.

If you have concerns about safety on your road because of wet leaves then please report this to us.

Report an issue

You can help by:

  • taking extra care when walking or driving on wet leafy surfaces
  • being patient - we have limited resources and cannot clear all areas at once, especially if there has been extra leaf fall due to windy weather
  • not sweeping leaves into the road as this slows down our street cleaning operation - if you sweep leaves into the road after we have swept your street we won’t be able to return to your road again until your next scheduled visit
  • composting leaves from your own garden in a home composter
  • using the garden waste collection service
  • make leaf mould – to find out how visit recycle now or get composting

Weeds growing in streets

The council’s contractor routinely clears weeds growing on council owned streets, pavements and shopping areas as required.

They use approved weed treatments or remove them manually.

Report an issue