Grass cutting at parks, cemeteries and housing estates across the north is being reintroduced after services ground to a halt due to the pandemic.
Highland Council officials have confirmed a limited programme of grounds maintenance works will resume despite what they describe as “significant challenges” in terms of staffing numbers.
The services will focus on essential maintenance on the roadside, roundabouts and verges to maintain road safety, along with with grass cutting at burial grounds and council housing estates.
Maintenance works will also take place in parks across the north to enable residents to partake in their daily exercise, however, play parks will remain closed.
The council stressed all work will be carried out in adherence to the national guidelines with strict social distancing measures remaining in place.
Vice convener of Highland Council, councillor Allan Henderson, said: “The council is grateful to communities undertaking grass cutting and strimming works to prevent deterioration of the amenity in their areas. This is appreciated now the growing season is underway, of course communities must assess the risks of carrying out this task, and adhere to Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance at all times particularly on social distancing.”
A series of non-essential maintenance works remain on hold by Scotland’s largest local authority amidst the ongoing lockdown.
Maintenance to rough-cut areas, shrub and flower beds and old and unused burial grounds will not be undertaken in the coming weeks, and there will be no litter picking of amenity areas.
The council also started up its garden waste bin collections again this week.
The council are urging Highland residents not to interpret these actions as a lifting of lockdown requirements, appealing them to adhere to government advice by staying at home and exercising social distancing.
Councillor Andrew Jarvie welcomed the news, saying: “It’s good that this has finally come back. This something I raised quite some time ago.
“Obviously there will be restrictions in place. People accept that it is not business as usual but if these kind of services can be done with workers maintaining a safe social distance from each other and the public, then these sort of things should be able to go ahead. It’s very good news that it’s returning and I do very much welcome it.”
Meanwhile in Moray, collections of bulky domestic waste have recommenced, with a maximum of 20 collections taking place each day.
Moray Council officials say the uplift service can now be delivered safely within the physical distancing guidelines set out by the Scottish Government.
Items such as old furniture, carpets and white goods will be collected following the reinstatement of the paid-for service, with a maximum of five large items along with two bags of general waste being uplifted upon collection.
Extra staff and vehicles are also being made available should demand outstrip the team’s normal capacity.
The launch comes as many households have utilised the lockdown period to have a clear-out with no outlet to dispose of larger items due to recycling centres remaining closed.
