We take a balanced approach to managing and preventing weed growth across our highway network. Weeds can cause damage to structures throughout the network, which includes more than 2,400 miles of roads.
Our methods include:
Weeds can cause significant damage to sealed surfaces, including:
Weeds can lead to cracks that allow water to penetrate the surface. This results in potholes and surface deterioration and further weed growth.
We use road sweeping vehicles to:
This proactive approach helps reduce the areas where weeds can establish and reduces the need for chemical treatment.
When roads and pavements are free of detritus, soil and mulch, weeds are less likely to grow.
This example shows where road sweeping is the most effective method of weed management:
We only sweep council-maintained roads and pavements that form part of the highway network.
When sweeping alone is not enough, we apply a glyphosate-based herbicide. We do this in a very targeted way and will only spray:
Spot spraying takes place once a year during the summer, between 1 June and 24 August. This helps extend the life of road surfaces while minimising environmental impact.
This example shows where a more targeted approach to weed control is needed:
We only treat weeds on council-maintained roads and pavements that form part of the highway network.
We are investigating alternative methods of weed control to reduce environmental impacts. There is currently a pilot project that is testing an alternative to glyphosate.
You can read more about leader of the council Nick Ireland's stance on glyphosate in our newsroom.
You can also view where urban sealed surface spraying will be taking place.
