Why weed control is necessary
Controlling weeds on streets and pathways is necessary to:
- prevent physical damage to paving, kerbs, walls, car parks and road surfaces
- keep gullies and drainage channels clear
- avoid spoiling the overall appearance of the borough
How and when weed control is carried out
Weed control is undertaken by an external specialist, qualified contractor. Spraying is currently undertaken twice each year, usually during May and August. Each treatment typically takes four to six weeks to complete, however weed spraying cannot be carried out in wet conditions, so this timeframe can vary.
Where weed control is carried out
The weed control contract covers the following across the Bury borough.
- 660 km of carriageway
- 1200 km of footway
- 9 km of car park perimeters
The borough is split into 32 cells/areas with crews starting in the north and south of the borough, working their way towards the middle of the borough. Please note:
- Weather conditions can impact on the progress of the programme as weed spraying cannot be carried out in wet or windy conditions
- We do not remove dead weeds after they have been sprayed as they die back naturally
- Weeds can take up to two weeks to die back following treatment.
What we use to treat and control weeds
Our specialist contractors only use herbicides authorised for use in public areas and that have a MAPP (Ministerially Approved Pesticide Product) registration number. No alternatives are permitted under any circumstances.
The weed treatment is carried out using specialist equipment which ensures that it is only applied directly to the weeds and not spread unnecessarily across pavements, tree pits or other plants.
All operatives involved in the weed control contract are trained and qualified to the appropriate NPTC (National Proficiency Test Certificates) certificates of competence, with managers being qualified to BASIS level and being a member of the BASIS Amenity Training Register.
Reporting weeds on a road or pathway
Issues with weeds on roads or pathways can be reported at:
Problem weeds - invasive non-native plants
We have a legal duty to control certain harmful and invasive weeds on the highway.
We treat invasive weeds where there is a risk to highway users, adjacent landowners, or livestock. The treatment may consist of a combination of repeated applications of weedkiller and removal by hand.
Where landowners or occupiers have invasive weeds on their property, they have a legal duty to control the weeds and stop them spreading. If they refuse, DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) can take appropriate action and charge the costs to the landowner or the occupier of the property.
Find out how to identify Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed and what to do if you find them on private or public land.