We are not responsible for maintaining weeds on any privately-owned land (including land owned by housing associations such as bpha), or developments not yet adopted by us. Please report weed problems on private land direct to the owners.

Weed control in our parks and open spaces

Bedford Borough Council is always looking into new techniques and using alternative methods such as strimming weeds, reducing areas where chemicals have been used in the past, and reducing the amount of chemical used as much as possible.

This practice has been largely used in maintaining boundary maintenance, such as along fence lines, around trees and obstacles such as bollards, and enables us to keep large grass-cutting machinery away from obstacles to minimise any damage being caused.

Where we do use a herbicide to control weeds in parks and open spaces, we take great care in its application to reduce any impact on the environment, humans, animals and insects and we do not use herbicides in areas close to water.

When the herbicide is applied to a weed, usually by spraying, it works its way through the plant killing it completely. On contact with soil the herbicide breaks down into harmless substances.

Herbicides and our Green Flag parks

We no longer use herbicides in our Green Flag awarded urban parks - Addison Howard Park and Bedford Park. Instead we only use chemicals in the essential management of sports pitches/facilities, as there is a lack of viable alternatives on the market to ensure good quality playing surfaces.

Our country parks and nature reserves are all managed pesticide free. We have also designated areas of our open spaces for wildflower meadows which also reduce weed control measures

If we've missed an area of weeds in a park or open space

If you notice an issue with weeds in our parks and open spaces that you think we have missed please report it to us on the below form.

Report a weed problem in a park or open space

Weed control on highway roads, channels and pathways

We spray weeds on the highway as routine maintenance twice a year to reduce structural damage to highway infrastructure and/or for safety reasons. We do not spray weeds to improve the appearance of an area or to simply keep areas weed free.

We use licensed and trained contractors to treat the weeds on hard-surfaced areas of roads, pavements and kerbs. The herbicide used is approved for use in public areas and is only applied to actively-growing weeds, not as a blanket spray.

Weed treatment only works in dry weather. During periods of heavy rain we pause weed spraying. We usually carry out the first spray between May and June and the second spray between August and September. Any new weed growth will be treated.at the next spray

If we've missed an area of dangerous weeds

If you are concerned that weeds on a road, pavement or gully could be dangerous please report it here:

Report a weed problem on a road or pavement