STREET cleaning is to be cut back in Stockton and green waste collections have been suspended amid efforts to tackle coronavirus.

Services classed as “non-essential” are being pared back at Teesside Councils as moves to support the vulnerable through covid-19 gear up.

Bosses say street cleaning services “will be cut back to a minimum” with a focus on emptying waste and dog bins.

Green waste collections will not resume in April and are suspended until further notice – but household waste and recycling collections are continuing as normal.

Grass cutting will be restricted apart from where it’s needed to keep the public safe – such as in maintaining sight lines at junctions.

The borough’s outdoor markets have been restricted to food stalls only – with staff and customers urged to observe strict social distancing measures.

The Stockton High Street fountains, its lighting programme and the “Stockton Flyer” sculpture have been turned off until further notice.

However, the lighting programme will be revived on Thursday – with the town hall and other landmarks lit blue to show solidarity and support for the NHS and its staff.

Activities at Stockton’s four family hubs in Billingham, Redhill, Stockton and Thornaby have wound down.

But they are still distributing packed lunches to families entitled to free school meals – with more than 1,200 lunches given out this week. Families entitled to free school meals can collect lunches from the hubs between 11.30am and 2pm.

Council chiefs say they’re awaiting a steer from the government on when it will provide support through supermarket and shop vouchers.

School crossing patrols have stopped in the borough until further notice but a “stand-by service” is on call should the need for a patrol arise.

Visits to the Rosedale Centre, in Bishopgarth, have also been stopped.

Elsewhere, work on capital projects which haven’t started yet will be postponed – including Egglescliffe School main hall, repairs to Mandale Bridge and roundabout enhancements on the A174.

Parking charges have been suspended in all council-run car parks and for on-street parking meters until further notice.

Teesside’s councils have cancelled all meetings until next month at the earliest – with many bosses awaiting guidance from the government about if and how they will be able to carry out their function in future.

Stockton Council is working alongside voluntary organisation Catalyst to help bolster the ranks of its “COVID Community Support Team” to help the vulnerable.

The service is running seven days a week from 8am until 6pm – to find out more, call 01642 524500.