Weed changes set to be discussed by Cambridgeshire councillors
A review of how weeds on the highways are treated across the county will be discussed at the Highways and Transport Committee next week (Tuesday).
The original weedkilling programme was set as part of the 2022/23 budget setting process, the council stopped the cycles of chemical weed treatment, and concentrated on removing those causing a safety hazard and a nuisance or as part of preparation before other works were carried out.
The change did not affect how poisonous weeds are treated.
During the summer of last year, a high number of concerns were raised by residents and members of the council about this approach.
As a result, a review of the change was carried out and it found the council hadn’t engaged with key stakeholders about the revised policy relating to weeds.
The review looked at the impact of those changes and an engagement exercise was carried out with county councillors, district councils, and town and parish councils.
The committee will hear about the findings and the concerns raised by those responding to the survey which included, negative impacts on amenity, drainage, roads and footway surfaces, finances, and reduction in carbon.
The committee is being asked to adopt new standards that could see weeds being treated twice a year. If agreed, a further engagement exercise will be carried out to seek views on the new policy.
