Campus grounds during the lock down

It's not quite business as usual during the the current Covid 19 lock down but the team are doing what we can to keep the campus grounds open, safe and a place to take time out and reflect.

Many of the campus buildings are closed for the foreseeable future but the campus grounds can't just be locked up and left without detriment.  On the plus side the grounds team and the external cleaning team have been deemed 'essential' and allowed to continue working to reduce the impact of the lock down on the grounds it's wildlife and it's remaining residents. 

Just this week we have been returned to a 50% presence, we are able to demonstrate that we can effectively keep to social distancing guidelines, many of the team walk or cycle to walk to work and we are fortunate to have access to necessary PPE  to carry out our tasks and adequate hygiene and washing facilities.

Having only half the team on site does have a knock on effect meaning we are only going to get half the work completed so we prioritising things to keep the campus safe and usable. 

The grass doesn't stop growing and weeds can take over in a short space of time so they currently form the basis of our operations.   

In a similar way the City of York council are continuing with their grounds maintenance operations and have released these details by way of explanation.

: If the grass gets too long it will grow onto paths and pavements causing trip/slip hazards and cause line of site issues at junctions.

:If weeds grow on pavements they will become unsafe to walk on.

:It will cause longer term damage to paved surfaces eventually breaking up the surface.

:If we don't control the weeds at the start of the year it will put greater pressures on the service for the rest of the year.

External cleaning has always been an important service that our team provides and with the current recommendations on daily outdoor exercise there are lots of people still enjoying the campus and as a result the litter bins and dog waste bins still require regular servicing.

We have residents still on campus and essential staff are still working and producing waste.  Our recycling service is still going on albeit in a reduced form. 

We are also taking the opportunity of a quieter campus to clean areas that are usually quite difficult during term time due to the footfall that they normally get.

All in all we are doing our best to keep the campus grounds open, safe and welcoming and importantly ready for when things settle down and campus life returns to a more recognisable state.

Stay safe everyone.