TRIBUTES have been handed to Tavistock Town Council?s works staff, who are currently experiencing one of the busiest times of the department?s year.
Members at last week?s meeting of the council?s properties committee said they were delighted by the spruced-up appearance of many areas of the town, some of which were ?unrecognisable? from their previous state.
Cllr Jenny Metcalf, town mayor, was particularly impressed with the recently constructed new entrance to the Dolvin Road Cemetery.
She said: ?I have had many comments passed to me about how nice the gates look.?
Chairman of the committee, Cllr Iain Andrews, said: ?It really looks wonderful ? I think the town is looking absolutely superb ? congratulations to all involved.?
The committee heard the yew trees and bushes in both the town cemeteries were currently being trimmed and shaped.
Extensive work has taken place at the Bannawell Street play area, including removal of vast amounts of brambles, weeds and stinging nettles, plus tree surgery, bank clearance and stream clearance.
A rolling programme of grass cutting and hedge trimming is under way in all the town?s open spaces, along with general maintenance work.
The committee heard that the roundabout in the Meadows, on which there was an incident involving a trapped child during July, had undergone inspections and was found to be satisfactorily installed. A further inspection will be carried out by RoSPA in due course.
Wayne Southall, the council?s new works superintendent, reported to the committee that one of the department?s priorities for the coming month would be the development of a metre-wide verge along Abbey Walk, which could be used as a flower bed, possibly in partnership with sponsors.
It was felt such a verge would be a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to a fence, and could reduce the risk of accidents occurring in relation to the steep drop to the river.