Weed Control

Weeds on the Highway

Weeds are plants growing where they are not wanted. Weed growth detracts from the overall appearance of an area and traps litter and detritus. Growth in road gullies and channels can slow down or prevent free drainage and therefore presents a safety hazard. Weed growth can damage paved surfaces, displace kerb stones and crack walls, all of which make maintenance difficult and costly.

All hard surfaced areas of adopted highway are treated to control weed growth. Residential streets, Council owned car parks, urban footpaths and pedestrianised areas are treated. The whole of the highway is treated including kerbs, gullies, around street furniture, footways (pavement) and the carriageway.

Applying the Herbicide

The Isle of Wight Council works in partnership with Wyevale Grounds Maintenance to provide the weed spraying service as part of the Integrated Grounds Maintenance Contract.

Herbicide is applied to areas of weed growth 3 times a year in April/May, June/July and September. The applications are timed to coincide with weed growth for maximum control. Where necessary, once the growth has died back, the dead plants are removed.

A systemic contact herbicide (Roundup Pro Green or similar) is applied to weed growth on the Island. This herbicide enters the plant through its leaves and breaks down the weeds cell structure, ensuring that all parts of the plant are destroyed. We expect any growth to show signs of die back within 21 days of the application.

Roundup Pro Green is not expected to produce any significant adverse health or environmental effects. Roundup can be purchased by the general public from garden centres and has a non-hazardous classification. On contact with soil it breaks down and becomes harmless. This means that weeds can be effectively treated without posing a risk to the public or to wildlife.

The herbicide is applied by operatives riding quad bikes. These bikes can travel on pavements whilst spraying at no more than 5 miles per hour with due care and attention to pedestrians. The bikes can travel at normal speeds on the road when not spraying.

The Councils Area Superintendents continually monitor operatives involved in applying the herbicides and that all required areas have been successfully treated.

Ragwort

Ragwort is a special case and is not controlled as part of the routine weed spraying service.

The Council as landowner recognises the problem posed by ragwort and does take action against it. However the extent of the problem means that there are many places where infestations remain. A high priority is placed on areas where grazing is active, such as Brading Down, Nansen Hill and Rew Down, all of which have been subject of ragwort control operations. On Highway rural grass verges, all complaints are risk assessed, and those which are a high risk or in close proximity to livestock are dealt with by contractors on a rapid response basis.

For further information on Ragwort .

Reporting a Problem

If you wish to report any problem or query relating to this service either call us on 823777 (normal office hours) or email Highways.

For any enquiries regarding weed control in parks, gardens or open spaces, please contacts the Councils Parks and Beaches department on 823362.

Page last updated on: 09/03/2005