Reduced chemical street weeding trials

We are testing greener ways of managing plant growth on select streets in St Margarets and North Twickenham by introducing three trials in 2024 to reduce or remove the use of a chemical weed killer called glyphosate on public streets. 

As part of our response to the climate emergency, we are committed to reducing our environmental impacts, protecting local biodiversity, and ensuring the borough is a place that is safe and healthy for people to live and work.

Reducing chemical herbicides

Like other councils, we have historically used a weed killer containing a chemical herbicide called glyphosate to control street plant growth. We have reduced the quantity in recent years, including no longer spraying this around the base of street trees.

Local residents have raised concerns to us about the use of glyphosate on public streets and asked us to consider alternative methods of controlling wild plants.

Actions

We listened to your concerns, and in April 2023, our Environment Committee set about taking action. This has led to the development of three trials that will run in selected areas of St Margarets and North Twickenham. 

The aim is to test different, approaches to reducing or eliminating the use of glyphosate on public streets, looking at effectiveness and environmental criteria.

Trial details

The three trials will last for one full growing season, and the changes in operation will begin from April 2024.

They will be delivered in three areas of St Margarets and North Twickenham. The Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee will make a decision about the way forward once the trials have been completed at the end of the 2024 growing season.

View more details about the trials.