Hounslow Council is set to ramp up its weed removal efforts with a £285,000 investment, aiming to tackle the increasing weed growth across the borough.
The funding, drawn from the Parking Revenue Account (PRA), will enable Hounslow Highways to commence the 2025/26 Weed Removal Programme. This initiative responds to growing concerns about weed proliferation since 2020, when the council restricted the general use of herbicides containing glyphosate on council assets in response to concerns and ongoing research into potential impact on the environment and human health. The exception to this restriction was for treating invasive species.
According to a report discussed at the Publishable Officer Decisions meeting on Friday 04 July 2025, weed growth has become more widespread, more frequent and stronger
since the restrictions were implemented. The additional funding will allow for up to two spray treatments during the season, utilising more operatives to ensure effective weed control. The Weed Removal Programme 2025/26 details the plans for the increased weed removal efforts.
The council currently permits the use of herbicides containing glyphosate on highways, parks, open spaces, and housing areas to treat invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed. The justification for using glyphosate on these species is that all other general usage on council assets was restricted in 2020 due to concerns about the impact on the environment and human health.
The Highways PFI contract includes a provision for weed management which resources 4 operatives, 2 quads and a vehicle. The £285k of one-off revenue funding for 2025/26, funded from the PRA, will provide additional resourcing to supplement this existing provision.
The council and its contractors will monitor the impact of the proposed treatment on weed germination and growth on the highway, to inform any future decision for the 2026/27 Weed programme. The council aims to balance the benefit of weed control with the duty of care to protect human health and the environment.