York | Archive | 2006 | April | 13
From the archive, first published Thursday 13th Apr 2006.
IT looks like it would be more at home in a science fiction exhibition.
But this little gadget could revolutionise the way the grassed areas around the city's bar walls are kept neat and tidy.
Council engineers have been carrying out trials on a remote-controlled lawnmower, to cut the grass on the slopes of the mounds around the city's treasured ancient monuments.
Chiefs at City of York Council today said the mower, which is controlled at ground level, was part of the authority's commitment to improving health and safety for employees, while also improving services.
The new mower may also help council chiefs avoid the tragedy which killed 54-year-old authority worker Frank Smith last May.
Mr Smith, of St Stephen's Road, in Acomb, was crushed by his sit-on mower when it overturned while he was cutting a steep grass embankment at Water End, near Clifton Bridge.
A council spokesman said: "The council is continually looking at ways of improving health and safety for employees, while at the same time improving services.
"We have been looking at the possibility of using a remote-controlled lawn mower to cut the grass on the bar walls.
"It would reduce hand/arm vibration and noise levels for operatives, and we are currently in discussions with the manufacturers."
Updated: 10:17 Thursday, April 13, 2006
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