Grass verges and street weed control

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Roadside Weed Control In Minehead

Planned Street Weed Control Programme - Press Statement May 2026
The Town Council has appointed specialist contractors to begin a targeted street weed control programme in early May as part of routine maintenance of public areas. External contractors are used because they employ modern application technology that allows treatments to be highly targeted, using very small quantities of herbicide and significantly reducing the risk of overspray. This ensures the work is carried out safely, efficiently and in line with current environmental and safety guidance.
Before returning to the use of herbicide, the Council trialled a range of alternative weed control methods. These were found to be ineffective, disproportionately costly, or raised their own environmental or safety concerns, and did not adequately address public concerns about the condition of streets. The current approach has therefore been selected as the most balanced option, allowing effective control while minimising wider impact.
Only specific areas within streets that have been identified as requiring treatment will be included. Parks, play areas, and designated green spaces will not be sprayed as part of this programme. This targeted approach helps manage weed growth where it may contribute to surface damage or trip hazards, while avoiding unnecessary treatment elsewhere. We have developed a map to identify the areas where weed control is planned; this is intended as a guidance tool only and provides a visual indication of proposed locations. It can be viewed below or downloaded here. If any residents prefer that no weed control is carried out outside their property, please let us know by emailing ku.vog.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni or calling 01643 707213. 
The Council recognises the importance of protecting wildlife and habitats. Alongside this work, we have extended rewilding areas across our open spaces, supporting biodiversity and allowing nature to thrive where it is most appropriate. More information about our rewilding programme can be found here: https://mineheadtowncouncil.gov.uk/your-council/rewilding-project

Weed Control in Minehead: Striking the Right BalanceKeeping Minehead’s streets looking their best is always a balancing act. On one hand, residents expect clean, weed-free pavements; on the other, there are understandable concerns about herbicide use. After trialling several non-chemical alternatives, it became clear they didn’t deliver the results or value for money Minehead needed. This led to a targeted reintroduction of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide.
Why glyphosate?Although glyphosate has attracted attention—mainly due to its extensive use in global agriculture—authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirm that, when used correctly, it poses no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment in horticultural settings. In fact, the EU renewed its approval until 2033, stating there is “no scientific or legal justification for a ban” when good practices are followed. WHO and FAO experts also concluded glyphosate is unlikely to be carcinogenic in humans when used as intended. Read more from WHO here and EU guidance here. We use very small amounts and only spray in the right conditions, meaning the product is touch-dry in no time. This ensures no harm to dogs or other pets walking our streets.
How we ensure safety and precisionWe only treat street weeds. Our specialist contractor provides full safety documentation and risk assessments and uses advanced techniques like chlorophyll fluorescence to ensure only weeds are sprayed. Precision nozzles drastically reduce overspray, and the use of tiny amounts of adjuvants to make the herbicide as efficient as possible, meaning less product is needed overall. This makes the process both environmentally responsible and cost-effective.
Protecting biodiversityFor those concerned about habitat loss, we’ve offset this with an ambitious and successful rewilding project across our open spaces. As a result, Minehead’s biodiversity has never been greater—while ensuring nature thrives where it should, not on our pavements.
Our ApproachAfter several difficult years in which the Town Council explored alternatives to glyphosate-based weed control, we received a high volume of feedback from residents. This feedback was largely negative, as the non-herbicide methods trialled did not prove effective in keeping streets and hard surfaces at an acceptable standard.
We have now reached a position where weed control across the town is being undertaken in a responsible and targeted way by a specialist contractor. This approach responds directly to the concerns raised while continuing to ensure that herbicides are not used in parks and open spaces, where alternative methods remain in place.
Feedback has clearly indicated that many residents wish to see streets kept relatively weed-free. In response, the Council has refined its approach to balance effectiveness, safety, and environmental considerations. Wherever practicable, heavier growth is cleared prior to treatment, and areas that become excessively browned following application are addressed afterwards.
The Town Council will continue to review its methods to ensure they remain proportionate, transparent and in the best interests of the community.
Please see below for all relevant data sheets, safety information, and risk assessments provided by our specialist contractor. These documents outline the standards and procedures followed to ensure safe and responsible use of glyphosate in Minehead.
Hand Held Risk AssessmentWeed IT Risk AssessmentBRONCO - glyphosate COSHHMethod Statement

Roadside Verge Grass Cutting