A NEW fleet of mowers will fan out across the county to make good on Herefordshire Council’s promise of better grass cutting.

But the mowers come with the proviso that grass cutting won’t go back to the extent seen before 2013.

Council contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) confirmed delivery of the mowers this week.

The fleet is expected to carry out twice the number of grass cuts than last year but at the same cost.

“We’ve had the time to purchase more effective and efficient kit, plan better routes and ensure we are working with our sub-contractors to achieve best value,” said Andy Williams, BBLP contract director.

BBLP came under sustained criticism over grass cutting just months after securing the council’s 10-year public realm contract.

The Council had substantially reduced the 2014 grass cutting budget, but had to concede to public protest and top the budget back up again, with the higher figure allocated to the coming year.

However, Councillor Paul Rone, cabinet member for transport and roads, said that the increase won’t see a return to grass-cutting as it was pre-2013.

At the height of the grass cutting stand-off, Cllr Rone warned that communities would have to do more such work for themselves given the financial situation the council was in.

The re-configured service, by location, allows for six or seven amenity cuts, two verge cuts and additional safety-splay cuts, if required.

Grass cutting is also covered by the expanded parish lengthsman scheme, with particular attention to roadside verges.

In the autumn, BBLP carried out public consultation on its 2015 Annual Plan with concerns about grass cutting specifically expressed.

“We are still encouraging people to get involved in keeping their own verges and public areas tidy.

"The Council website provides advice on safety and grant funding for community groups,” said Cllr Rone.

A  schedule will be published on the Council’s website when the grass cutting season starts next month.