Letter: Why Sweep Before the Leaves Are Down?

Published on: 20 Sep, 2023
Updated on: 20 Sep, 2023

Road sweeping in Sutherland Drive by Alford Close, Burpham

From: Paul Robinson

If the GBC proposed cutbacks are to go as far as the flower displays around the town I would like to make one further suggestion – cut street sweeping at the start of autumn.

This morning a mechanised street sweeping machine did the rounds around our residential street.

If there was ever a pointless exercise this is it. With all the trees about to dump their leaves what is the point of sending a sweeper around now? In two or three days time there will be no evidence that the street was cleaned.

If the reason is flood prevention that is fine but, if so, just restrict it to areas that flood, not roads that haven’t flooded in 30+ years.

Responses to Letter: Why Sweep Before the Leaves Are Down?

Keith Francis Reply

September 20, 2023 at 5:58 pm

Regrettably it is all based on the contract SCC has these days, the roads are swept irrespective of need.

Gully emptying is no different. Try to get an over-flowing drain emptied, off-schedule, because it is blocked with leaves and other debris. Many drivers don’t know where the fire hydrants are so they can refill the tank.
Peta Malthouse Reply

September 20, 2023 at 7:10 pm

Our streets in Normandy aren’t swept at all. Instead car drivers lob their empty fast food containers and fag packets onto our pavements a grass verges. We are in a parish and pay additional council tax for the privilege with less of the borough bonus perks. Be careful what you wish for.
Keith Reeves Reply

September 21, 2023 at 5:18 pm

According to Surrey County Council’s website, residential roads are swept three times a year. They are clearing not just leaves but the gradual build up of debris.

Changing to a post leaf fall or post heavy rainfall regime would doubtless require a much larger fleet of vehicles and more drivers, who would be idle the majority of the time.

Now that really would be pointless.
Sheila Atkinson Reply

September 21, 2023 at 10:19 pm

We haven’t seen a road sweeping lorry for many years where we live. In the last week we were around the Bedford Road area and Tesco at Bannisters and passed comment on how dreadful the roads looked, it was obvious nothing has been done to them in ages either.
Jim Allen Reply

September 22, 2023 at 12:10 am

In Bowers Lane, we keep it clean ourselves and only call the council in to sweep the street when the visiting contractors have made a mess. A phone call to Guildford council sorts the problem. Simple!
Olly Azad Reply

September 22, 2023 at 12:47 am

Although the road in Sutherland Drive does look impeccably well sweeped, I agree, why go to great lengths now when we have a good indication that autumn has arrived late in the year, partly because its been
so mild and also due to the ever presence of Climate Change where weather conditions are a little abnormal to put it mildly.

Perhaps GBC could energise thier resources with more floral displays instead of cutting back on them? I happen to drive through Guildford on occasions and seeing the floral arrangements particularly on railings outside the Debenhams building really does make a difference, as otherwise the area would look drab and uninviting to motorists and pedestrians alike.
I appreciate that local authorities are having to discipline themselves with budget constraints but bringing some “flora and fauna” to a city like Guildford should be maintained before any tree leaves are meticulously being swept away.
Olly Azad Reply

September 24, 2023 at 11:59 pm

Although the road in Sutherland Drive does look beautifully sweeped, I agree, why go to great lengths now when indicators in recent years are pointing to the fact that autumn seems to be arriving later in the year because of the ever presence of Climate Change. To suggest that weather patterns are changing is putting it rather mildy.

Perhaps GBC could energise there resources and efforts into arranging more floral displays in the centre of Guildford instead of cutting back? Road sweeping is necessary at times but so too is creating colours with flora and fauna to a city like Guildford.

In the meantime, may I suggest that any road sweeping undertaken by GBC is best left until later in the year when the trees really start to shed their leaves.