Vegetation Management – Clearing footpath debris build-up

Edging back 15 years’ debris build up along the footpath.

Our client’s aim

Over the course of time, debris has built up along the edge of the footpath making the footpath narrower. This has not only made the footpath less functional but the debris build up had also covered up the solar stud along the edge of the footpath. These solar studs rely on direct sunlight to power small lights that light up the edge of the footpath that run adjacent to a busy guided busway track, so was also a safety concern.

Our proposal

Due to the width, and depth, of the debris build up a normal edger, or heavy-duty blower, wasn’t adequate to complete the works. As such, we purchase a new implement for our ride-on bank mower; a Kestrel Weed Brush.
This implement has a rotating plate with heavy-duty wire brushes that can be tilted at an angle and brushes/ pushes the debris free from the tarmac footpath.
The loose debris is then either collected and removed from site or, where the site allows, blown into the verge.

Result

A clear and tidy footpath, edged to its full width without any damaged caused to the solar studs. The full length of the footpath, that runs adjacent to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, is 25km long so we edged not far from a 50km section.