As part of the Council’s vision to create a district rich in nature, we want to reduce the amount of pesticides we use in Council operations for the benefit of people and wildlife.

We currently use a pesticide called Glyphosate as part of our street cleansing and grounds maintenance contracts to control weeds on pavements, pathways and other hard surfaces across the district. Although pesticides are very effective at controlling weeds, they can be harmful to nature and health.

What are pesticides and how are they used?

Pesticides are chemicals used to control a variety of pests in a range of situations. They include:

• Insecticides that kill insects
• Herbicides that kill plants
• Fungicides that kill fungal problems

The pesticides most commonly used by Councils are herbicides which are used to control weeds and other plant material on hard surfaces such as streets, pavements and pathways. Herbicides and insecticides may also be used to control invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed and insects that are harming ornamental plants.

What problems are caused by pesticides?

Pesticides don’t only affect the organisms they are targeted at, but can also have negative, and often unforeseen, impacts on non-target organisms including people and wildlife. In terms of the natural environment, pesticides are having a particular impact on urban biodiversity, destroying habitats and food/nectar sources that numerous species depend on. Glyphosate, in particular, has the potential to directly harm bee health. They can also impact water quality since they tend to runoff hard surfaces such as pavements and paths, having harmful impacts on aquatic ecosystems.  In terms of health, the use of Glyphosate is tightly regulated to reduce exposure of our street cleansing operatives and the general public to hazardous levels, however some groups of people can be more vulnerable to effects and long-term exposure has been linked to certain health problems.

How we're reducing pesticide use in Council operations

We've already made significant changes:

• Parks and open spaces - pesticide use has reduced by 20% since 2023/24 and is now limited to essential pest and invasive species control such as Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed. 
• Natural mulching - we use fallen leaves and other readily available organic material to help naturally suppress weeds whilst also improving soil health.
• Around tree bases - we've stopped spraying pesticides around tree bases in public areas across the district such as shopping precincts and on pavements to protect tree roots and support the growth of pollinator-friendly plants around the tree bases. 

Trial to reduce street spraying

In 2024, we launched a pilot to reduce glyphosate spraying on streets, pavements and pathways. Traditionally, our aim has been to maintain a ‘neat and tidy’ appearance, but given the biodiversity crisis, it’s more important than ever to ensure urban areas support wildlife.

A small number of areas in Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick were selected for the trial. These areas received just one weed spray in 2024, instead of the usual two. The trial helped us understand the best timing for a single spray and the practical effects of reduced spraying.

The trial has now been extended across the whole district with the long-term aim of permanently reducing pesticide use.

We continue to work closely with Warwickshire County Council's Highways Team and are guided by the Pesticide Action Network to stay up to date with best practices and learn from other Councils leading on pesticide reduction.   

Is there a legal requirement for councils to remove weeds?

Section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a duty on Councils to keep land and highways clear of litter and refuse. This includes the removal of detritus but not specifically the removal of weeds. 

Is there a legal requirement for councils to reduce pesticide use?

There isn’t a specific legal requirement for councils to reduce pesticide use but there are a number of pieces of legislation or guidance aimed at reducing or stopping pesticide use in order to protect human health, biodiversity and water quality. The UK National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (“the NAP”) provides the framework within which the UK Government aims to deliver parts of the Environmental Improvement Plan (2023) to minimise the risks and impacts of pesticides to human health and the environment, while ensuring pests and pesticide resistance are managed effectively. The UK National Pollinator Strategy also calls on local authorities to increase and improve areas of habitat for bee and other pollinator species and includes recommendations to reduce pesticide use. 

How does the reduced pesticide pilot work?

Areas across the district would normally receive two weed sprays a year, one in Spring and one in Autumn. In 2024 this was reduced to 1 weed spray for specific areas of Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick, with some of those areas receiving the spray in Spring and some receiving the spray in Autumn. In 2025, the pilot was extended across the whole district with all areas receiving 1 weed spray in Spring.  

How is the pesticide applied?

Glyphosate is applied by operatives on quad bikes using spray lances, along with operatives on foot using knapsacks and spray lances to target those harder to reach areas.

Are you controlling weeds in other ways? 

We continue to sweep streets, pavements and pathways as part of our routine street cleansing operations to prevent the build-up of detritus where weeds normally love to establish. We also continue to remove problem plants from hard surfaces such as buddleia and tree saplings as these have the potential to cause costly damage to infrastructure. Otherwise, we leave them alone to provide benefits for nature. However, if they present any immediate danger to road safety or cause accessibility issues we will dispatch a team to remove the offending plants.

What alternatives are there to chemical weed control?

Unfortunately, there is no like for like replacement for pesticides when it comes to weed control. There are a number of alternatives but often a combination of them is needed, tailored to the particular situation or location. Often this comes with additional costs or resource needs. Some of these alternatives include:   

• Hot foam systems using high temperature water and foam to kill weeds. The foam is made using sustainable vegetable oils which help to keep the water at a high temperature.
• High pressure hot water treatments – similar to foam systems but rely solely on water.
• Electronic control systems use electricity to boil weeds. Particularly suited to dealing with invasive species.
• Hand weeding – mainly suited to small areas or done in partnership with local communities as very labour intensive.
• Mulching – using organic material such as wood chips, tree bark or leaves to smother weeds and keep light from reaching the soil surface.
• Acetic acid – essentially just vinegar which has proven effective at controlling weeds on hard surfaces.
• Flame treatment to burn weeds but some health and safety concerns for operatives.
• Brushing – can be used for larger areas such as pavements and roads. Particularly useful for removing light weeds and moss from hard surfaces and vital for keeping streets clear of detritus where weeds prosper.

The cheapest approach is to simply reduce spraying and identify areas where spraying can stop altogether. A number of Councils in the UK have taken this approach, and this has been the starting point for our pesticide reduction pilot.

Are other Councils doing this?

There is a global trend away from the use of pesticides with cities including New York and Toronto having banned urban pesticides altogether, as is the case for whole countries such as France and Luxembourg. In the UK, the first councils started going pesticide free in 2015 (e.g. Lewes and London’s Hammersmith and Fulham) and there are now at least 47 councils that no longer use any pesticides and an additional 80 that are in the process of going pesticide-free.

Is this just a cost saving exercise?

No, there aren't any immediate cost savings. The pilot will help guide our next steps to further reducing pesticide use in Council operations and any potential cost savings will be determined at that point.

What can I do to help?

Please support our pesticide reduction pilot by sharing the benefits it will bring for people and wildlife.

Go pesticide free at home and encourage nature to flourish in your garden. Take part in No Mow May and let your garden go wild, even if only a small section - it all helps. Download our poster and display at home to let people know you’re supporting the campaign.

Find out how we're supporting No Mow May.

Continue to support nature after May by implementing the following at home:

• Planting flowers that are rich in nectar to help insects find the food they need.
• Creating homes for insects and other wildlife such as bird boxes, bat boxes, hedgehog houses, solitary bee houses, etc.
• Providing a source of water for wildlife, particularly on hot days, such as a bird bath, pond or even a bowl of water. Include some gravel or other material in the water for insects to safely land and perch on so they don’t fall in.
• Creating corridors for wildlife to move between gardens and surrounding land e.g. hedgerows instead of fences, hedgehog doorways along the bottom of fence panels, etc.
• Go peat free with your compost and help to protect our nature rich peatlands
• Use rainwater for watering rather than tap water. Not only do plants prefer rainwater, you’ll also be helping to reduce pressure on our reservoirs and lower your carbon footprint in the process. Get reduced price water butts from Severn Trent Water.

Consider adopting your local grass verge to help nature. Highway verges are a valuable resource for wildlife and biodiversity. Ask your parish or town council to support the development of wildflower areas on highway verges in your local area. An application needs to be submitted to Warwickshire County Council.