Posted By Marj Rees A local playground wishes to install an embankment slide. They are hoping to grass the mound but recognise the problems associated with its' maintenance. Has any one any advice or ideas regarding types of acceptable grass cutting equipment for use on embankments or preferably alternatives to grass?. I would be grateful for any information that I can pass on.

Posted By Ken Taylor Grassed mounds are always a problem and the usual 'remedy' seems to have become lowering a hover mower on a line. For reasons that Bryn has described, it may be necessary for the operative to be secured by a fall-restraint or arrest line or to be behind a substantial fence. In playgrounds, one may see the areas adjacent to these slides utilised as climbing areas with timbers, terraces and the like in order to help overcome the maintenance problem. Where dense low-growing shrubs (Cotoneaster horizontalis, Lonicera pileata, etc) can safely be used they could also provide a safer alternative requiring minimal maintenance.

Posted By Ian Harper Marj, We conduct similar cutting on near vertical banks with a rope system in costal areas and there are a number of issues. Firstly tying up the dead mans handle is not a good idea. If its dropped you cant stop it. Especially bad if its petrol. It also causes problems when lifting up. If it is not done exactly right and you are working over a fence.... the guy has to lean over to cut it off... mower nearly vertical...am I painting a picture? Or the guys on the rope pull it up to quick and it comes over the fence. Its also a hard job, you then introduce a big manual handling problem lifting up and down. Also I think if you look in the manufactuers blurb, it normally states hover mowers must operate within 15 degrees of horizontal (I think). I dont want to sound negative, but thats the scene I was faced with and I don't have any answers either. Contact me if you want to know the in depth problems we have had. ian.harper.ncs@norfolk.gov.uk