Current weed management challenges
We understand the concerns that residents have raised this summer regarding weed growth on roads, footpaths and other public spaces across the Scottish Borders. We want to reassure communities that we are aware of the issue and are taking steps to address it.
This year a combination of factors has created significant challenges for our weed management programme. Resource pressures and difficulties securing contractor support have resulted in delays to weed control operations, with some of these issues being beyond our direct control. At the same time, our teams have been working to support the many community festivals and events that take place across the Borders during the summer months, placing additional demands on available resources.
Following a review of how our weed treatment services are delivered over the past few years we have reduced the areas that receive routine weed treatment and the frequency of routine applications to one treatment per year. This is due to ongoing budget and staffing pressures.
As ever we are seeking to balance a range of competing objectives and viewpoints as well as monitoring new approaches and technologies in preventing and managing weed growth. We will continue to review our approach going forward.
While we recognise that weed growth has become more noticeable in some areas, our teams are continuing to prioritise essential services and make the best use of available resources. Over the coming weeks, weed treatment operations will be focused on priority routes and main thoroughfares across the Borders, helping to improve the appearance and safety of key locations.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our communities while this work is carried out. We remain committed to delivering an effective and sustainable weed management service within the resources available, and we will continue to monitor the situation and target works where they are needed most.
Weed control in the Scottish Borders
Across our towns and villages, we undertake weed control using a combined approach of mechanical methods, manual methods and chemical application using Glyphosate. The products we use are fully licensed and used in a manner that is compliant with current licensing requirements, observing appropriate protocols. We continue to be committed to reducing reliance on chemicals wherever possible while seeking to maintain the standards expected across out public spaces, and have managed to reduce the use of Glyphosate by 79% in recent years.
We continue to explore alternative methods to remove the need for Glyphosate entirely, however as yet none have been identified that are sufficiently effective and financially sustainable. If your neighbourhood or community would like to opt out of chemical application, then please get in touch.
Non-native species
Non-native plant species are those plants that have been brought into the country by humans. There are many non-native species in Scotland, but only a small number of these are invasive, which means they harm the environment, economy, public health, and our way of life.
You can find more details of non-native species on the Scottish Government website.
Report an invasive weed or non-native species
You can report an issue using the contact form (please include photos if you can and avoid touching these species as they may be harmful).
Weed control and biodiversity
It’s important to remember that weeds are plants, and many support urban biodiversity.
Weeds can:
- provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and pollinators
- improve soil health and green our cityscape.
As part of our wider biodiversity and climate commitments, we’re moving towards a more sustainable and natural approach to green spaces management.
If a group of residents agrees to “self-weed” their street, we can exclude that area from chemical treatment.
We can support local initiatives by:
- arranging uplift of bagged green waste
- providing advice and coordination.
You can request support for self-weeding or opt out of spraying by getting in touch.