TRAFFIC: Remote control mower cutting grass along M7

A remote control mower is currently cutting grass on the steep banks of the M7 motorway.

Kildare Co Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have hired contractors to operate the machine to maintain the grassy slopes near Junction 13 (Kildare Village) in a safe way.

Parts of the Hard Shoulder have been cordoned off with traffic cones.

The versatile remote control mower machines can cut on slopes of up to 55 degrees - virtually impossible for a manually operated mower.

Only one operator needs to use the apparatus and can do so at a safe distance to avoid risks of being injured.

Acres of grass along the motorway network must be maintained every year to keep it neat and tidy.

A remote control mower can usually complete two days of mowing in just a few hours.

It can be used on any steep terrain where workers can't operate safely.