A new approach to tackling overgrown and dangerous weeds on pavements and roads will start next week.
Uncontrolled weed growth is a big problem for the city. Five years of relying solely on manual weeding has left some streets unsafe or inaccessible to wheelchair users, parents and carers with buggies and those with visual or mobility impairments. Roots are also breaking up footpaths and weeds are restricting drains.
From Monday 13 May, a controlled-droplet application of glyphosate will be introduced alongside other methods of removal to manage the problem.
This new approach is more targeted and sustainable than previous glyphosate application methods. It will get to the root of the weeds while also reducing the risk of run off to other plants or parts of the street where it’s not needed.
Treatment will only be applied to visible weeds on roads and pavements. Glyphosate won’t be used in parks and open spaces or on any roads that don’t need to be treated.
Any streets already maintained by residents or community groups will require little or no treatment. The council’s Tidy Up Team can help support anyone who wants to clear their local area. Get in touch with them and they can supply sacks and tools and collect any waste. They will also provide advice on the best way to clear weeds safely.
This new approach is designed as a ‘reset’ to tackle the current scale of the problem. Once weeds are back under control, we will reduce the use of glyphosate to the lowest level possible to maintain safe and accessible streets.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Chair of the City Environment, South Downs & The Sea Committee said: “We have a duty to ensure our roads and pavements are safe and accessible for all of our residents and visitors, but 5 years of manual weeding alone simply hasn’t been effective, and we have been forced to act.
“Most councils across the country still use glyphosate in its conventional form, but we have chosen this new approach, which is much more targeted and mitigates risk to the environment.
“Treatment will not be applied in parks or green spaces, and it won’t be used on wildflowers unless they are presenting a hazard. Crucially, it won’t be used where it isn’t needed.
“We will only treat visible weeds, so any areas that are kept clear by residents will not need to be treated.
“We’d love to have the help of residents and community groups to keep treatment to a minimum, so please do get in touch with the Tidy Up Team if you’d like to be involved. They can help by providing sacks and tools, as well as collecting the waste.
“Once the problem is back under control, we will reduce the use of glyphosate. For now, this is the best way to balance the need to keep residents safe and pavements accessible with protecting the city’s biodiversity.”
Over the last year, the council has tried many methods of weed removal from manual and mechanical weeding to foam-stream and hot water. Double the number of pavements were weeded than in the previous year, but this was still only 34% of our pavements.
Manual removal requires a lot of time and resources, and it hasn’t been effective. It only removes growth above the surface so roots would continue to grow, and the problem would continue to get worse year on year.
At a meeting of the City Environment, South Downs & The Sea Committee on 23 January, members of the committee voted to introduce a controlled-droplet application of glyphosate to manage and remove weeds from hard surfaces.
A controlled droplet application involves mixing a reduced concentration of glyphosate with an oil that sticks to the weeds. This uses less of the herbicide than traditional methods, enables targeting of problem weeds and greatly reduces the risk of harm to plants or wildlife it’s not intended to come into contact with.
This approach is very different to what used to happen in the city. This saw quad bikes driving up and down every street three times a year, blanket spraying regardless of how much weed growth there was.
Contractors are starting next week on roads in Portslade.
The current plan is for three applications over the remainder of the year, but if treatments are not necessary, they will not be used.
Treatment will only be applied to visible weeds on roads and pavements. Parks and open spaces will remain herbicide free, other than when dealing with invasive species.
We'll also continue to explore viable alternatives as they become available. 
