On the A40 in the Ruhr area, the motorway company is now using extremely environmentally friendly lawnmowers: Sheep. The animals are supposed to keep the turf in check at drainage systems.
Dortmund (dpa) – Sheep have recently also been used as natural lawnmowers near the A40 Ruhr Expressway.
In a pilot project at three A40 junctions in Dortmund and Bochum, herds of 23, 25 and 40 sheep have been ensuring that the grass at drainage systems remains short since this week.
If successful, sheep will also be used at other locations with such tanks.
The Autobahngesellschaft is working on the project with a hobby breeder who continues to own the animals. “This is not only sustainable and environmentally friendly, but also completely free of charge for us – and thus the taxpayer -“, said Frank Hoffmann from the Westphalia motorway company on Friday. There is no danger for road users and the animals: The areas with the drainage systems are fenced in so that no animals can escape.
Various sheep breeds such as Schwarzkopf sheep, Merino sheep or Texel sheep are used. The locations of the pilot project are the A40 junctions Dortmund-Dorstfeld, Dortmund-Kley and the Bochum-West triangle.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210618-99-46369 / 2
