Our weed spraying programme for the public highway (pavements/roads/streets) starts every year from March/April through to October. We'll carry out two county-wide sprays during this period (weather dependent). Each county-wide spray takes approximately six weeks to complete, and we can't spray weeds in wet or windy conditions. It will take 12 to 15 days for the weeds to die off and start to turn brown. We'll then remove the weeds as part of our routine cleansing. Removing the weeds too soon will result in a rapid and vigorous regrowth.

We do this to: 

• Reduce trip hazards by preventing weed growth on pathways, and other hard surfaces
• Manage weed control cost effectively and efficiently
• Protect our infrastructure

The UK has rigorous approvals processes for herbicides. The main aim of the process is to protect the health of people, animals and plants and to safeguard the environment. A UK directive states that Glyphosate is safe to use. In the absence of other efficient or cost-effective replacement products on the market, weed removal would otherwise have to be undertaken via mechanical means. This would dramatically increase the cost and would also increase CO2 emissions, usage of petrol and potentially increase risks to staff from hand/arm vibration and noise exposure through the repetitive use of the mechanical alternatives.