Weed management

We manage weeds on roads, pavements and other highway areas to help keep them safe, accessible and well maintained.

Our weed spraying programme

Our annual weed control programme runs from March/April through to October. During this period, we carry out two county-wide weed spraying treatments, subject to suitable weather conditions. Each treatment takes approximately six weeks to complete, and spraying can't take place in wet or windy conditions.

Following treatment, weeds can take between 12 and 15 days to die off and begin turning brown. They're then removed as part of our routine cleansing programme. Removing weeds too soon can result in rapid regrowth, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Why we control weeds

We manage weeds on the highway network to:

Reduce trip hazards on pavements and other hard surfaces
Protect roads, footways and other highway infrastructure from damage caused by weed growth
Maintain the network in a cost-effective and efficient way
Help keep public spaces safe and accessible for all users

How we control weeds

We currently use Gallop Hi-Aktiv Amenity (MAPP No. 17646), a glyphosate-based herbicide approved for use in the UK. It's widely used by local authorities to control weeds on roads, footways and other hard surfaces.

Applications are targeted only where weed growth requires treatment, and are carried out in accordance with current legislation, regulations and industry guidance.

Who carries out the work

Weed control is undertaken by a specialist contractor working on behalf of Shropshire Council. The contractor is required to maintain detailed records of all herbicide applications, including:

The product used
When it was applied
The quantity applied

These records help to ensure that all work is carried out safely, lawfully and in line with regulatory requirements.

Why we use glyphosate

We understand that some residents have concerns about the use of herbicides. We regularly review our weed control methods and consider alternative approaches where appropriate.

Herbicides used in the UK are subject to rigorous approval processes designed to protect people, animals, plants and the wider environment. Glyphosate-based products approved for use in the UK have undergone extensive assessment before being authorised.

At present, there are very few alternatives that are practical, effective and affordable for managing weeds across Shropshire's extensive highway network. Without the use of approved herbicides, weed control would need to rely largely on mechanical methods. This would significantly increase costs, fuel consumption and carbon emissions, while also increasing operational risks associated with the prolonged use of mechanical equipment.

For these reasons, the use of approved herbicides remains the most effective way to manage weeds and maintain safe highways across the county.

Protecting the environment

We're committed to minimising the environmental impact of our operations. We follow all relevant legislation, regulations and guidance relating to herbicide use, and continuously seek ways to improve our practices.

Advances in products and application equipment have already reduced the amount of herbicide and water required during treatment, helping to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Looking to the future

We continue to monitor developments in weed management and review new technologies and alternative treatment methods as they become available.

If a safe, effective and affordable alternative to current practices is identified, or if legislation changes, we'll review our approach accordingly. Our aim is to balance environmental considerations, public safety, effective weed control and value for money for residents.