REDUCED grass cutting and street cleaning have been unveiled in Middlesbrough in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Middlesbrough Council officials say priority will be given to essential frontline services for the foreseeable future – and the protection of the vulnerable.

It means several authority procedures have been pared back – or stopped altogether.

Grass cutting will be reduced in the borough while fortnightly green waste collections – due to start on April 14 – have been postponed for a month.

Pre-booked bulky and white goods collections have been reduced as well as town centre mechanical sweepers and general street cleaning.

However, council chiefs say “hotspot” problems will be dealt with.

All Middlesbrough Council meetings have been suspended until further notice.

Parks and play areas have been shut – as has Middlesbrough Bus Station and Zetland and Captain Cook Square multi-storey car parks.

Middlesbrough House is closed to the public for revenues and benefits inquiries, but online self-serve facilities are available via the council’s website.

The council’s register office has also shut in line with Government guidance.

Efforts to slow the spread of covid-19 were stepped up this week – with the public told to stay at home where possible, avoid gatherings and all unnecessary travel.

Despite the moves, not all council services have stopped.

The authority’s main switchboard is still up and running.

Noise complaints can still be lodged with advice to landlords and tenants in the “selective landlord licensing scheme” areas of North Ormesby and Newport still being offered.

Cremations and burials are still running – with a limit of eight mourners – as are weekly bin collections and fortnightly recycling collections.

School catering, alley cleaning and emergency road and street light repairs will also continue.

Teams dealing with litter and dog waste bins, pest control and removal of fly-tipping and graffiti will also keep running.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said officers had been working around the clock to keep things running – and he implored people to follow the advice set out by the government.

He said: “As a council, we’re adapting incredibly quickly to an unbelievably challenging and fast-moving situation.

“Our officers are doing amazing work – alongside partners from the public and private sectors – in every corner of our communities.

“We’re working round the clock to offer support to everyone who needs it – if you need help let us know, and if you can help us, get in touch with the “Help Boro” team.

“We’re also doing everything we can to reinforce the latest advice from Government on home working, social distancing and avoidance of unnecessary travel.

“If we all do that together, we can slow the spread of this deadly virus and save many lives – the stakes really are that high.”

The council’s “Help Boro” hub is available to assist with a variety of needs – such as shopping, making meals, walking pets as well as providing a listening and support service.

For more information: visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/helpboro or call 01642 729777

Closed until further notice: Middlesbrough Town Hall and Civic Centre, libraries and community hubs, parks and play areas, Middlesbrough Bus Station, Teesside Archives, Middlesbrough Theatre, Newham Grange Leisure Farm, Zetland and Captain Cook Square multi-storey car parks, Register Office, all day centres, children’s centres, council nurseries – Bright Stars and Stainsby Nursery.

Services being reduced or stopped include: Pre-booked bulky and white goods collections, fortnightly green waste collections were due to start on April 14 – this has now been put back by a month and will be kept under review, grass cutting, town centre mechanical sweepers and general street cleaning – although ‘hotspot’ issues will be dealt with.