Street cleaners: the UK’s highway heroes

Getting stuck behind a road sweeper can be the proverbial pain in your driver’s rear side if you’re in a hurry to be somewhere. Other than bin lorries, these slow-moving giants are one of the most troublesome obstacles to overtake. But have you ever stopped to think about what these vehicles actually do to keep our roads safe and free from potential hazards?

Why is street cleaning important?

Making sure the UK’s road network is free from objects is only part of the job. Road sweepers are employed by the local authority and are responsible for keeping roads, pavements and public places safe and free from pollution.

Why do we have street sweepers?

Ensuring the country is litter free is vital to prevent materials washing into storm drains which ultimately pollute the UK’s coastal bays or cause backups, resulting in flooding. It doesn’t stop there. Keeping roads free of objects, tyre damage is kept to a minimum, so less ongoing costs for the average motorist.

Environmental services, which are supplied by companies like JW Crowther, are often the unsung heroes of highways maintenance. They help sustain a pleasant environment, whilst preventing potential road traffic accidents.

When does street cleaning take place?

Depending on the area, road sweeping takes place daily, weekly or monthly. Street cleaners work to a set route, taking the waste to a city or local authority transfer station where it’s put onto roll-on roll-off skips and eventually disposed of; keeping roads, and the country, safe and free from rubbish.