David Wilson will be out and about five days a week, helping to keep our paths clear of vegetation and litter, so they can always be well used.
Our network is a mixture of National Cycle Routes like the Keelman’s Way along the south bank of the Tyne, some leisure and tourist routes like those at Derwent Walk, and some more urban, commuter routes, including the newly established path from Wardley to Follingsby.
David’s role includes:
· Cutting back encroaching vegetation
· Maintaining grass verges
· Clearing debris
· Keeping signage visible
· Winter maintenance
· Reporting fly tipping
Being alert to potential problems will be a key part of the job, and David will be able to refer larger issues for colleagues in the council’s Park Lane depot to tackle.
David, 58, said: “I love it, absolutely love the job. Even in the short time I’ve been doing it, people are really appreciative of someone maintaining the paths and tracks.
“Many years ago, from age 16 to 25, I used to work for Newcastle City Council in the parks department, so coming back to this type of work is really coming full circle for me.”
The council has ordered a specialist vehicle for David to use in his work, which will be available from next month, and he will also have a trailer for carrying extra materials or tools.
The ‘tractor’ vehicle from manufacturer John Deere will have a rear mounted flail for cutting vegetation, and will also be able to spread brine (salt water) in the winter months, to help ensure key routes are kept clear of ice and snow.
The brine spreader will be controlled by GPS satellite navigation, to ensure it always delivers the correct amount of brine, adjusted according to how fast the tractor is moving.
Graeme Thornton, Horticulture and Cleansing Manager for the council, said: “The council has invested a lot of money in the cycle paths, to help encourage more people to cycle, so it’s important we maintain them, or they will deteriorate.
“We will make sure we prioritise the workload, so if David is up in Chopwell, in the far west of the borough, and we have an urgent job here in the east, we can ask another colleague to attend that, and he can carry on with what he’s doing.”
Coun John McElroy, cabinet member for environment and transport, said:
“We are committed to helping Gateshead residents change how they travel in the borough, and this is another important step in encouraging more journeys by bicycle.
“As a keen cyclist myself, I know the importance of the work David is doing, and what a huge difference it makes, especially to newer, less confident cyclists, for getting out and about on their bikes.”
24 February 2022
David Wilson will be out and about five days a week, helping to keep our paths clear of vegetation and litter, so they can always be well used.
Our network is a mixture of National Cycle Routes like the Keelman’s Way along the south bank of the Tyne, some leisure and tourist routes like those at Derwent Walk, and some more urban, commuter routes, including the newly established path from Wardley to Follingsby.
David’s role includes:
· Cutting back encroaching vegetation
· Maintaining grass verges
· Clearing debris
· Keeping signage visible
· Winter maintenance
· Reporting fly tipping
Being alert to potential problems will be a key part of the job, and David will be able to refer larger issues for colleagues in the council’s Park Lane depot to tackle.
David, 58, said: “I love it, absolutely love the job. Even in the short time I’ve been doing it, people are really appreciative of someone maintaining the paths and tracks.
“Many years ago, from age 16 to 25, I used to work for Newcastle City Council in the parks department, so coming back to this type of work is really coming full circle for me.”
The council has ordered a specialist vehicle for David to use in his work, which will be available from next month, and he will also have a trailer for carrying extra materials or tools.
The ‘tractor’ vehicle from manufacturer John Deere will have a rear mounted flail for cutting vegetation, and will also be able to spread brine (salt water) in the winter months, to help ensure key routes are kept clear of ice and snow.
The brine spreader will be controlled by GPS satellite navigation, to ensure it always delivers the correct amount of brine, adjusted according to how fast the tractor is moving.
Graeme Thornton, Horticulture and Cleansing Manager for the council, said: “The council has invested a lot of money in the cycle paths, to help encourage more people to cycle, so it’s important we maintain them, or they will deteriorate.
“We will make sure we prioritise the workload, so if David is up in Chopwell, in the far west of the borough, and we have an urgent job here in the east, we can ask another colleague to attend that, and he can carry on with what he’s doing.”
Coun John McElroy, cabinet member for environment and transport, said:
“We are committed to helping Gateshead residents change how they travel in the borough, and this is another important step in encouraging more journeys by bicycle.
“As a keen cyclist myself, I know the importance of the work David is doing, and what a huge difference it makes, especially to newer, less confident cyclists, for getting out and about on their bikes.”
More Gateshead news
Credit: Source link
