Reduced chemical street weeding trials

Throughout 2024, we tested greener ways of managing plant growth on select streets in Battersea Park ward. We introduced three trials to reduce or remove the use of a chemical weed killer called glyphosate on public streets.

The trial period concluded at the end of 2024.

As part of our response to the climate emergency, we are committed to reducing our environmental impacts, enhancing 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 raised concerns to us about the use of glyphosate on public streets. They asked us to consider alternative methods of controlling wild plants to help protect our local environment and safeguard our valuable wildlife, such as bees.

Actions

We listened to your concerns, and in summer 2023 our Environment Committee set about taking action. This led to the development of the three trials that ran in selected areas of Battersea Park ward.

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

Trial details

The three trials lasted for one full growing season, and the changes in operation began in March 2024.

They were delivered in three areas of Battersea Park ward.

The Environment Committee will make a decision about the way forward in 2025.

View more details about the trials.