Council’s on-street teams tackle big leaf clearance task

Just over 600 tonnes of leaves will be collected by the Council’s leaf clearance teams over the coming weeks as they hit the streets to clear up leaves on the borough’s pavements and roads.

This not only helps to keep Cheshire West clean and tidy but also stops the pavements and roads becoming slippery and dangerous.

Throughout November and December, Cheshire West and Chester Council deploys teams dedicated to clearing leaves, using both mechanised and manual sweepers.  Larger vehicles are able to hold around four to six tonnes of leaves and smaller ones around one to one and half tonnes – dependent on how wet the leaves are.

This year will see an electric sweeper join leaf clearance operations, particularly in Chester city centre.

The timing and rate of leaf fall varies from one year to the next, due to variations in weather such as rainfall levels, wind and frost. 

Priority is given to roads and footpaths with many mature trees and areas where leaves have broken down into detritus.  High-risk flood areas across the borough are getting particular attention from the teams.  The borough’s parks are also covered as part of the leaf clearance operations.

The Council’s Highways contractors are also busy dealing with the problems leaves can cause to grids and gullies across Cheshire West.  The Council’s Highways service looks after a total of 76,000 gullies where leaf fall can cause blockages and flooding.

Autumn can make the borough’s leafy streets even more scenic than usual, but when the leaves start to fall it does create a lot of work.  Teams are working hard to keep streets looking neat and tidy and to stop leaves becoming a slippery hazard. 

Take care when walking on compacted leaves and report leaf problems in your area to the Council.

The Council is also asking residents to be patient if there has been a rapid fall of leaves during windy weather, our teams may not be able to respond immediately.

Pictured - Leaf clearance in Whitby Park.