Dudley Council has invested in new machinery to help crews maintain hedges and verges on borough roads and footpaths.

The local authority has purchased a compact tractor, which will be used to trim back bushes and verges. 

The new equipment will help teams to access areas such as public rights of way paths while reducing arm and hand vibration often experienced by green care workers.

The crews will also have use of two new specialist mowers, to give increased flexibility when cutting and strimming verges and to help with cutting back and collecting from areas with bulb and daffodil stems. Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environment, said:

"We have invested in this new equipment as we know how important it is to our residents that we keep verges, highways, footpaths, and public rights of way tidy.

"With this new equipment we will be able to react to requests faster and cover a larger area with increased efficiency. This work is also vital as it helps people to feel safer and gives better visibility for motorists when they are driving on the network."

Dudley Council has invested approximately £100,000 on improving the equipment and machinery within its grounds maintenance service and the equipment has been funded from existing and growth budgets.

People who wish to raise a request in their area can contact Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.