Street cleaning and weed control

What is the schedule for weed spraying?

Please see the schedule on our weed control page.

What is a weed?

A weed is a plant growing in a place where it is not wanted. In Cheltenham this means that any plants growing in pavements and kerbs or around drains and street furniture are weeds.

What level of service should we expect?

Our teams work hard to keep weeds to a manageable level. Not all areas are expected to be weed-free but substantial growth will be treated.

Why does the council control weeds?

It’s important that weeds are controlled for a number of reasons including:

• appearance - weeds can look unsightly as well as trap rubbish and litter.
• safety - weeds can reduce visibility for road users and make traffic signs hard to see.
  • weeds in kerbs or around drains can prevent or slow down drainage or create trip hazards.
  • weeds growing on pavements can cause damage to the surface and cause broken and uneven slabs
• maintenance - weeds can cause cracks to kerbs and walls which can increase maintenance costs.

When are weeds treated?

Weeds are treated once in the spring, usually in May, with a second application later in the year in September.

We have been trialling one weed spray per year, however we have now gone back to two-sprays a year. See our weed control policy for more information.

Where are weeds treated?

Objects including signposts, road edges and street furniture are treated, along with hard landscape areas, footways, lampposts and signs; highways and council owned car parks are also treated.

Where will the council not treat weeds?

The council is not responsible for treating private land or property owned by other public bodies or private organisations.

This year in May, to reduce the amount of weed spray used, tree bases in grass verges and on paved areas were left.

How are weeds controlled?

Our contractor will be using Amega Duo with Codacide. This is an efficient and cost-effective method for treating weeds.

Amega Duo and Codacide are both non-toxic for skin, ingestion, inhalation, and non carcinogenic. They work by acting on an enzyme found in plants that it is safe for animals and wildlife including dogs. The weeds will begin to turn yellow as the plant begins to die back.

For more information regarding the chemicals used during the weed spray in Cheltenham, please visit our contractor’s website.

How long does it take for weed-killer to take effect?

It will normally take two to three weeks to see results, though this can be affected by weather conditions. Any remaining large weeds or old growth will then be removed later when the weeds have died-back where possible.

Is the weed spray harmful to my pet?

The herbicide is classed as non-carcinogenic and safe, even when wet, for animals and wildlife, including dogs. 

For further information, please visit the visit our contractor’s website.

How to report weed problems to us

Residents and businesses are asked to use our report-it form or contact our customer services team on 01242 262626, email [email protected].