The grounds maintenance service includes grass cutting, weed control and the maintenance of hedges and shrubbery.
The service runs from March to October each year and the team carry out the following services:
These services take place on council owned land only. Find out more about maintenance of privately owned land, or land owned by registered social landlords.
Grass cutting
We cut grass verges in Knowsley on a two-weekly frequency between March and October. This may be affected by poor weather conditions.
In total, we cut 3.8 million square metres of grass per year, which is the equivalent to 4,784 football pitches.
Grass clippings are not removed, as they put nutrients back into the soil and support the growth of healthy grass. We do remove cuttings from footpaths and the highway for safety reasons.
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Grass cutting at our high speed, strategic and rural roads is conducted less often, as traffic management is required to protect our operatives.
High speed roads are maintained up to three times per year. The roads include:
- A580 – East Lancashire Road
- M62
- A562 – Speke to Widnes Road
- A5300 – Knowsley Expressway
- Tarbock Island – M62 Junction 6
Strategic roads are maintained six times per year. They include:
- A57 – Liverpool Road
- A58 – Prescot Bypass
- A506 – Valley Road
- A5207 – Moorgate Road
- A5208 – South Boundary Road / Coopers Lane
- B5199 – Roby Road / Archway Road
Rural roads are maintained twice per year. They include:
- Netherley Road
- Cronton Road
- Greensbridge Lane
- Cartbridge Lane
- Lower Road
- Gerrards Lane
- Water Lane
- Prescot Road
- Stockswell Road
- Cross Hillocks Road
- Alder Lane
- Pingwood Lane
- North Perimeter Road
Tall grass areas
Knowsley Council has also introduced tall grass areas along some of its roadside verges.
In line with the council’s Climate Emergency Declaration, which committed to introduce more natural green spaces to the borough, a small number of natural tall grass sites along roadside verges have been introduced. View a list of all tall grass areas in the borough.
Weed control
We treat the borough’s highways and footways twice per year to keep weeds to a minimum.
When spraying, we protect the environment by using approved chemicals; well-maintained equipment; taking account of weather conditions; and monitoring the results. We will not apply any chemicals during rain or wind to prevent unnecessary over spraying.
It takes approximately seven to ten days for weeds to start dying off after spraying with herbicide at which time we will return to scrape out and remove any dead vegetation.
Winter maintenance of hedges and shrubbery
This happens between November to February (subject to extended grass cutting requirements) each year and includes scheduled ornamental and field hedge maintenance, cutting back of shrubbery and extensive litter clearance in hard to reach areas.
We cut back hedges once a year during the winter season to ensure that site lines and pedestrian access are kept clear. We aim to avoid the bird nesting season, in line with regulations in The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which outlaw the disturbance of nesting birds from February to August.
Privately owned land
We only maintain council owned land. It is not our responsibility to maintain privately owned land unless we have a Service Level Agreement with the landowner.
If you live in an area with a Registered Social Landlord e.g. Livv Housing Group or Riverside Housing, they are responsible for the maintenance of their sites.
