I wanted to share an update on the improvements to grass cutting in Kenley and across the borough. As a very green ward, I know residents are eager to see enhanced service standards, and so I wanted to report on the progress being made.
Croydon Council has kicked off its new season of grass cutting, ensuring that its 1.1 million square metres of highway verges, 850,000 square metres of housing land, and 190 parks and open spaces are regularly maintained until October. This comes as part of a major service improvement, including an investment in new equipment, skills and additional contractor resources to enhance upkeep across the borough.
Grass cutting will follow a regular schedule, with highways, parks, and open spaces trimmed every six weeks, while council housing land will be maintained every five weeks. Thanks to residents’ input, the council has updated its approach, ensuring that those in council housing estates helped shape the new schedule and will continue to monitor performance. This will be welcomed in our housing estates of Croftleigh, Oaklands and hawkhirst in Kenley.
An investment in digital mapping technology has also transformed the service, allowing real-time reporting and better planning for all council-owned green spaces. To support pollinators and wildlife, the council is working with Friends of Groups to leave selected areas of parks uncut, protecting biodiversity, including rare species such as the Lizard Orchid. No Mow May will be implemented in certain environmental areas.
With highway verges covering an area the size of 160 Selhurst Park football pitches, this improved grass-cutting service ensures that Kenley and the rest of Croydon will remain well-maintained throughout the year. These changes are a result of the determination of Mayor Perry to transform the previous poor service which left parks and grass verges uncut for months on end.
