Weed control

We are responsible for weed control on roads, footways and paved areas on all adopted roads in Cheshire East.

Treatment of weeds

Due to cost and effectiveness, we are not routinely spraying weeds on the highway. We review requests for treatment of weeds in channels, at the top of kerbs, in footways / alleyways (bordering a wall or fence), footpaths and link paths. Where they are clearly impairing visibility, drainage or restricting passage we will remove them by mechanical means.

Problem weeds

We have a legal duty to control certain harmful and invasive weeds on the highway (defined by law and regulation).

We treat invasive weeds where there is a risk to highway users, adjacent landowners, or livestock. This may be by a combination of repeated applications of weedkiller and removal by hand.

Where landowners or occupiers have invasive weeds on their property, they have a legal duty to control the weeds and stop them spreading. If they refuse, DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) can take appropriate action and charge the costs to the landowner or the occupier of the property.

You can report any sightings of invasive weeds on the highway, which include:

Japanese knotweed