Routine maintenance
We treat any weeds that are present:
- on footways and cycle tracks
- in kerb channels (including outlet mouths and gully gratings)
- around all obstructions, street furniture, tree bases, traffic islands
- on the back edge of the footway joining walls
- on all areas of block paved carriageways that are part of the adopted highway
This treatment is carried out to limit the growth of weeds in paved areas where they may otherwise cause structural damage. It is not carried out for aesthetic reasons, as can be the case with open spaces.
We use environmentally friendly but effective herbicides to control weeds. The use of chemical herbicides is carefully controlled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Within the highway, we can only use non-residual weed killers such as Glyphosate. It has a low toxicity to humans, animals and insects and can be used on areas open to the public and their pets.
We apply the herbicide by a controlled droplet application with the equipment, ensuring drift does not occur. It is not blanket sprayed over footpath areas as the herbicide is only effective when in direct contact with the weeds - on contact with hard surfaces/soil, it breaks down into harmless substances.
Because of this, we don’t spray in areas with no weed growth and ensure that any adjoining grassy areas are not sprayed. This process ensures the amount of chemical used is limited to an absolute minimum. Once the solution has been sprayed, it will take approximately 2-3 weeks to take effect on weeds and their roots.
Treatments start after the emergence of the ‘spring weed flush’ (when weeds begin to grow and before they get the chance to seed). We monitor the forecast as rain within 6 hours of treatment can weaken the solution, reducing its effectiveness.
Similarly, spraying during high winds will reduce the chemical that comes into contact with the weed. Therefore, the date can vary due to the weather, but treatments generally start in mid-April or early May and are completed by the end of September, to spread to adjacent land.
View our weed treatment programme.