Weeding Programme 2026 

Our approach to weed management

Since 2019, Hounslow Highways and the London Borough of Hounslow have managed weed removal using non‑chemical methods, except where weeds are invasive or pose a safety risk. This approach was introduced for three main reasons:

1. The Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019.
2. To encourage biodiversity at a time when climate change was placing increasing pressure on plants and wildlife.
3. Anticipated changes to the licensing of glyphosate in the EU (currently extended to December 2026).

Funding previously used for herbicide spraying was reinvested into manual weed removal, and significant resources have been deployed borough‑wide over the years during the weeding season to ensure every road received treatment.

Why we are adjusting our approach

Over the past five years, environmental conditions have led to exceptional weed growth, including:

• Longer growing seasons, now running from May to October
• Increased seeding and germination rates, causing wider spread across pavements and roads impacting infrastructure.
• Limited effectiveness of manual removal alone.

Despite the increased resource and emphasis on a non-chemical solution, weed growth has continued to impact:

• Public safety
• Pavement condition
• Operational resources

As a result, it was agreed in 2025 that limited and controlled use of herbicide is necessary to support an effective weeding programme and maintain safety on the roads and footpaths.

Use of Glyphosate

Weed spraying will be used again this year on a limited, targeted basis only, to:

• Slow the spread and germination of weeds
• Protect the pavement network from further deterioration
• Reduce pressure on manual removal teams

This decision follows previous trials and ongoing research into alternative methods, including heat treatments, bio‑friendly solutions, and emerging technologies with 3^rd party innovators.

What residents can expect:

• Programme start date: Monday 18th May 2026
• Spraying will take place on weekdays only – no weekend spraying
• It will take 2–3 weeks for the treatment to show visible effects
• Manual removal teams will continue to remove the most prominent weeds throughout the programme
• The programme will run in phases, covering all wards across the borough.
• There will be 2 x rounds of spraying in the season.
• Data will be gathered throughout to inform planning for 2027 and beyond
• No Weed, No Spray. Streets with no visible weed growth will not be treated.  If you wish to remove the weeds in your road before the teams arrive, then we will not spray where there is no weed.  We do not provide an ‘opt out’ system.

You can find a link to our 2026 Weeding Programme here.

 Commitment to the environment

While we are using Glyphosate solution to treat weeds again this year to manage current challenges, our long‑term ambition remains to reduce reliance on chemicals.

We have and will continue to:

• Trial alternative weed treatments
• Learn from research and industry best practice
• Balance environmental responsibility with safety and asset protection
• Following extensive trials last year, 2 potential solutions have been identified, and they have been selected for further tests with their products in two wards this year. The two wards are Heston West and Isleworth. The results will be monitored with feedback provided to you via this page.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to keep Hounslow’s streets safe, accessible, and well maintained.