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Controlling weeds

Our chemical weed treatment programme, covering 244 parishes, was reinstated in 2024 and has started to bring weed growth under control. However, regular and ongoing treatments will be essential to prevent regrowth and to stop woody perennials from establishing in kerb edges and damaging the highway network.

The first treatments in 2024 helped reduce weed coverage across the county, particularly in areas where growth had become excessive due to the gap in treatment. Going forward, maintaining a consistent programme will be key to preventing persistent weeds from taking hold and ensuring a safer, cleaner streetscape.

The chemical treatments are applied twice a year in built-up areas within 40mph zones or lower, directly targeting weeds growing in road gullies and along the back of footways adjacent to buildings, walls, or fences. Typically, it takes three to five weeks for the treatment to take full effect.

While some communities prefer to minimise chemical use, many support a proactive approach to managing weeds effectively. A small number of areas—Cambridge City Council, Caxton, Duxford, Lolworth, and Morborne Parish Councils—have opted out of the chemical weed treatment programme.

Looking ahead, we will continue to monitor weed growth across the county and ensure that problem areas receive the necessary treatment to maintain control. This year’s treatment programme is due to start by the end of March and continue throughout the year. The proposed programme dates will be added before the treatment programme starts and updated as each area receives treatment. Regular reviews will be conducted to assess effectiveness and update the list of parishes receiving treatment accordingly.

Parish  Completion date of the last treatment 2024 Proposed date of First spray 2025 Completion Date of First spray 2025

Proposed date of Second spray 2025

Completion Date of Second spray 2025 Proposed date of Third spray 2025 Completion Date of Third spray 2025
Aldreth 18 November 2024 2 April 2025 28 March 2025 31 July 2025      
Ashley 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 28 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Barway 15 November 2024 31 March 2025 28 March 2025 28 July 2025      
Bottisham 11 November 2024 26 March 2025 25 March 2025 23 July 2025      
Brandon Creek 12 November 2024 25 March 2025 25 March 2025 15 July 2025      
Brinkley 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 27 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Burrough Green 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 27 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Burwell 14 November 2024 28 March 2025 31 March 2025 25 July 2025      
Chettisham 18 November 2024 26 March 2025 25 March 2025 16 July 2025      
Cheveley 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 28 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Chippenham 15 November 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 18 July 2025      
Coveney 22 November 2024 31 March 2025 26 March 2025 4 August 2025      
Dullingham 15 November 2024 31 March 2025 27 March 2025 18 July 2025      
Ely 15 November 2024 24 to 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 7 to 11 July 2025      
Fordham 15 November 2024 27 March 2025 26 March 2025 17 July 2025      
Haddenham 18 November 2024 2 April 2025 28 March 2025 31 July 2025      
Isleham 15 November 2024 27 March 2025 26 March 2025 17 July 2025      
Kennett 15 November 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 18 July 2025      
Kirtling 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 27 March 2025

21 July 2025

     
Little Downham 20 November 2024 27 March 2025 26 March 2025 5 August 2025      
Little Thetford 15 November 2024 31 March 2025 28 March 2025 28 July 2025      
Littleport 13 November 2024 24 to 25 March 2025 25 March 2025 14 to 15 July 2025      
Lode 12 November 2024 26 March 2025 25 March 2025 23 July 2025      
Mepal 20 November 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 5 August 2025      
Newmarket 15 November 2024 1 April 2025 28 March 2025 22 July 2025      
Prickwillow 18 November 2024 26 March 2025 25 March 2025 16 July 2025      
Pymore 18 November 2024 27 March 2025 26 March 2025 5 August 2025      
Queen Adelaide 18 November 2024 26 March 2025 25 March 2025 16 July 2025      
Reach 12 November 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 24 July 2025      
Saxon Street 14 November 2024   27 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Snailwell 15 November 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 18 July 2025      
Soham 15 November 2024 1 to 2 April 2025 2 April 2025 29 to 30 July 2025      
Stetchworth 15 November 2024 31 March 2025 27 March 2025 18 July 2025      
Stretham 19 November 2024 1 April 2025 1 April 2025 1 August 2025      
Stuntney 15 November 2024 26 March 2025 25 March 2025 16 July 2025      
Sutton 21 November 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 5 August 2025      
Swaffham Bulbeck 12 November 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 24 July 2025      
Swaffham Prior 12 November 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 24 July 2025      
Upware 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 28 March 2025 28 July 2025      
Wardy Hill 22 November 2024 31 March 2025 26 March 2025 4 August 2025      
Wentworth 20 November 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 4 August 2025      
Westley Waterless 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 27 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Wicken 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 28 March 2025 28 July 2025      
Wilburton 15 November 2024 1 April 2025 31 March 2025 1 August 2025      
Witcham 20 November 2024 31 March 2025 26 March 2025 4 August 2025      
Witchford 20 November 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 4 August 2025      
Wooditton 14 November 2024 31 March 2025 27 March 2025 21 July 2025      

Parish

Completion date of the last treatment 2024

Proposed date of First spray 2025

Completion Date of First spray 2025

Proposed date of Second spray 2025

Completion Date of Second spray 2025

Proposed date of Third spray 2025

Completion Date of Third spray 2025

Benwick 5 November 2024 28 March 2025 28 March 2025 24 July 2025      
Chatteris 5 November 2024 28 to 31 March 2025 3 April 2025 22 to 23 July 2025      
Christchurch 6 November 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Coates 12 November 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 29 July 2025      
Coldham 30 October 2024 27 March 2025 24 March 2025 15 July 2025      
Doddington 6 November 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 24 July 2025      
Elm 30 October 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 16 July 2025      
Friday Bridge 30 October 2024 28 March 2025 28 March 2025 16 July 2025      
Gorefield 29 October 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Guyhirn 29 October 2024 27 March 2025 24 March 2025 15 July 2025      
Horsey Toll 12 November 2024 24 March 2025 25 March 2025 28 July 2025      
Leverington 28 October 2024 24 March 2025 26 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Manea 6 November 2024 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 21 July 2025      
March 11 November 2024 24 to 26 March 2025 26 March 2025 17 to 21 July 2025      
Murrow 29 October 2024 27 March 2025 26 March 2025 15 July 2025      
Newton 28 October 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Parson Drove 29 October 2024 27 March 2025 26 March 2025 15 July 2025      
Pondersbridge 12 November 2024 28 March 2025 28 March 2025 29 July 2025      
Ring’s End 29 October 2024 27 March 2025 24 March 2025 15 July 2025      
Turves 12 November 2024 28 March 2025 28 March 2025 29 July 2025      
Tydd St Giles 28 October 2024 27 March 2025 24 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Westry 7 November 2024 26 March 2025 24 March 2025 21 July 2025      
Whittlesey 1 November 2024 24 to 26 March 2025 27 March 2025 25 to 28 July 2025      
Wimblington 6 November 2024 27 March 2025 27 March 2025 24 July 2025      
Wisbech 25 October 2024 24 to 26 March 2025 26 March 2025 7 to 11 July 2025      
Wisbech St Mary 29 October 2024 27 March 2025 24 March 2025 15 July 2025      

Parish

Completion date of the last treatment 2024

Proposed date of First spray 2025

Completion Date of First spray 2025

Proposed date of Second spray 2025

Completion Date of Second spray 2025

Proposed date of Third spray 2025

Completion Date of Third spray 2025

Abbots Ripton 4 November 2024 8 April 2025 1 April 2025 29 July 2025      
Abbotsley 15 November 2024 4 April 2025  4 April 2025 25 July 2025      
Alconbury 20 November 2024 28 March 2025 1 April 2025 11 July 2025      
Alconbury Weston 20 November 2024 28 March 2025 1 April 2025 11 July 2025      
Alwalton 12 November 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Bluntisham 1 November 2024 4 April 2025 2 April 2025 25 July 2025      
Brampton 14 November 2024 2 April 2025 10 April 2025 23 July 2025      
Broughton  4 November 2024 7 April 2025 2 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Brington 21 November 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Buckden 13 November 2024 1 April 2025 8 April 2025 22 July 2025      
Bury 21 October 2024 10 April 2025 31 March 2025 31 July 2025      
Bythorn 21 November 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Catworth 21 November 2024 31 March 2025 2 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Colne 1 November 2024 4 April 2025 2 April 2025 25 July 2025      
Covington 21 November 2024 31 March 2025 2 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Conington 4 November 2024 8 April 2025 2 April 2025 29 July 2025      
Earith 31 October 2024 4 April 2025 2 April 2025 25 July 2025      
Easton 22 November 2024 1 April 2025 4 April 2025 15 July 2025      
Ellington 21 November 2024 2 April 2025 4 April 2025 16 July 2025      
Elton 11 November 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Farcet 14 November 2024 24 March 2025 25 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Fenstanton 31 October 2024 3 April 2025 1 April 2025 24 July 2025      
Folksworth 15 November 2024 3 April 2025 27 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Glatton 15 November 2024 26 March 2025 27 March 2025 9 July 2025      
Godmanchester 15 November 2024 3 March 2025 10 April 2025 24 July 2025      
Grafham 21 November 2024 2 April 2025 3 April 2025 16 July 2025      
Great Gidding 18 November 2024 28 March 2025 31 March 2025 11 July 2025      
Great Gransden 15 November 2024 4 April 2025 4 April 2025 25 July 2025      
Great Paxton 13 November 2024 31 March 2025 8 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Great Staughton 22 November 2024 1 April 2025 3 April 2025 15 July 2025      
Great Stukeley 4 November 2024 8 April 2025 1 April 2025 29 July 2025      
Hail Weston 21 November 2024 2 April 2025 3 April 2025 16 July 2025      
Hamerton 20 November 2024 38 March 2025 31 March 2025 11 July 2025      
Hemingford Abbots 30 October 2024 2 April 2025 1 April 2025 23 July 2025      
Hemingford Grey 30 October 2024 2 April 2025 1 April 2025 23 July 2025      
Hilton 15 November 2024 4 April 2025 10 April 2025 25 July 2025      
Holme 4 November 2024 8 April 2025 1 April 2025 29 July 2025      
Houghton 30 October 2024 2 April 2025 31 March 2025 23 July 2025      
Huntingdon (Inc Hartford and Sapley) 25 October 2024 24 to 28 March 2025 27 March 2025 14 to 18 July 2025      
Keyston 21 November 2024 31 March 2025 2 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Kimbolton and Stonely 22 November 2024 1 April 2025 2 April 2025 15 July 2025      
Kings Ripton 4 November 2024 8 April 2025 2 April 2025 29 July 2025      
Little Paxton 12 November 2024 31 March 2025 8 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Little Stukeley 4 November 2024 8 April 2025 1 April 2025 29 July 2025      
Needingworth 31 October 2024 3 April 2025 2 April 2025 24 July 2025      
Offord Darcey and Offord Cluny 13 November 2024 1 April 2025 8 April 2025 22 July 2025      
Old Weston 20 November 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Oldhurst 4 November 2024 7 April 2025 2 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Pidley 4 November 2024 7 April 2025 2 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Ramsey 21 October 2024 9 April 2025 1 April 2025 30 July 2025      
Ramsey Forty Foot 6 November 2024 9 April 2025 1 April 2025 31 July 2025      
Ramsey Mereside 6 November 2024 9 April 2025 1 April 2025 31 July 2025      
Sawtry 18 November 2024 27 March 2025 31 March 2025 10 July 2025      
Sibson 12 November 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Somersham 1 November 2024 7 April 2025 2 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Southoe 13 November 2024 31 March 2025 8 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Spaldwick 21 November 2024 1 April 2025 4 April 2025 15 July 2025      
St Neots 12 November 2024 24 to 28 March 2025 7 April 2025 14 to 18 July 2025      
St Ives 30 October 2024 31 March to 1 April 2025 1 April 2025 21 to 22 July 2025      
Stibbington and Wansford 12 November 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Stilton 14 November 2024 26 March 2025 27 March 2025 9 July 2025      
Tilbrook 21 November 2024 31 March 2025 2 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Upwood 5 November 2024 10 April 2025 31 March 2025 31 July 2025      
Warboys 5 November 2024 10 April 2025 31 March 2025 1 August 2025      
Waresley 15 November 2024 4 April 2025 4 April 2025 25 July 2025      
Water Newton 12 November 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
West Perry 21 November 2024 2 April 2025 3 April 2025 16 July 2025      
Winwick 18 November 2024 28 March 2025 1 April 2025 11 July 2025      
Woodhurst 4 November 2024 7 April 2025 2 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Woodwalton 4 November 2024 8 April 2025 1 April 2025 29 July 2025      
Wyton 30 October 2024 2 April 2025 31 March 2025 23 July 2025      
Yaxley 13 November 2024 25 March 2025 26 March 2025 8 July 2025      
Yelling 15 November 2024 4 April 2025 10 April 2025 25 July 2025      

Parish

Completion date of the last treatment 2024

Proposed date of First spray 2025

Completion Date of First spray 2025

Proposed date of Second spray 2025

Completion Date of Second spray 2025

Proposed date of Third spray 2025

Completion Date of Third spray 2025

Arrington 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Balsham 29 October 2024 31 March 2025 2 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Bar Hill 12 November 2024 14 April 2025 14 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Barbraham 30 October 2024 31 March 2025 3 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Barrington 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 10 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Barton 7 November 2024 14 April 2025 22 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Bassingbourn Cum Kneesworth 6 November 2024 7 April 2025 4 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Bourn 8 November 2024 14 April 2025 22 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Boxworth 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Caldecote 8 November 2024 14 April 2025 15 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Cambourne   17 April 2025  14 April 2025  28 July 2025      
Comberton 7 November 2024 14 April 2025 22 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Conington 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Coton 7 November 2024 14 April 2025 15 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Cottenham 22 October 2024 24 March 2025 26 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Croxton 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Croydon and Tadlow and Shingay 12 November 2024 14 April 2025 14 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Dry Drayton 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Elsworth 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Eltisley 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Fen Ditton 25 October 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Fen Drayton 17 October 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Fowlmere 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 14 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Foxton 4 November 2024 7 April 2025 14 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Fulbourn 28 October 2024 31 March 2025 2 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Gamlingay 13 November 2024 14 April 2025 14 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Girton  N/A 24 March 2025 7 April 2025  7 July 2025      
Grantchester 8 November 2024 14 April 2025 14 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Graveley 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Great Chishill 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 14 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Great Shelford 1 November 2024 7 April 2025 9 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Great Wilbraham 29 October 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Guilden Morden 6 November 2024 14 April 2025 4 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Hardwick 13 November 2024 14 April 2025 14 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Harlton 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Harston 4 November 2024 7 April 2025 10 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Haslingfield 8 November 2024 14 April 2025 10 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Hatley 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Hauxton 31 October 2024 7 April 2025 9 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Heydon 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 14 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Hildersham 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Hinxton 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 14 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Histon 23 October 2024 24 March 2025 27 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Horningsea 25 October 2024 31 March 2025 31 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Horseheath 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Ickleton 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 14 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Impington 23 October 2024 24 March 2025 28 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Kingston 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Kings Hedges 23 October 2024 24 March 2025 27 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Knapwell 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Landbeach 24 October 2024 31 March 2025 31 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Linton 29 October 2024 31 March 2025 3 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Litlington 6 November 2024 7 April 2025 4 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Little and Great Abington N/A 31 March 2025 3 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Little and Great Eversden 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Little Gransden 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Little Shelford 31 October 2024 7 April 2025 9 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Little Wilbraham 29 October 2024 31 March 2025 31 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Longstanton 21 October 2024 24 March 2024 25 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Longstowe 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Madingley 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Melbourn 5 November 2024 7 April 2025 11 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Meldreth 5 November 2024 7 April 2025 11 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Milton 24 October 2024 31 March 2025 31 March 2025 14 July 2025      
Oakington and Westwick 21 October 2024 24 March 2025 26 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Orwell 6 November 2024 14 April 2025 10 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Over 17 October 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Pampisford 31 October 2024 31 March 2025 8 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Papworth Everard 13 November 2024 14 April 2025 23 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Papworth St Agnes 13 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Rampton 17 October 2024 24 March 2025 26 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Sawston 31 October 2024 7 April 2025 8 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Shepreth 5 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Shudy-Castle Camps and Bartlow 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Six mile Bottom 4 November 2024 31 March 2025 3 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Stapleford 1 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Steeple Morden 6 November 2024 14 April 2025 4 April 2025 14 April 2025      
Stow Cum Quy 25 October 2024 31 March 2025 1 April 2025 14 April 2025      
Streetly End 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Swavesey 17 October 2024 24 March 2025 24 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Teversham 28 October 2024 31 March 2025 2 April 2025 14 July 2025      
Thriplow 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Toft 7 November 2024 14 April 2025 14 April 2025 28 July 2025      
Waddon 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Waterbeach 25 October 2024

31 March 2025

31 March 2025 14 July 2025      
West Wickham 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
West Wratting and Carlton 11 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      
Whittlesford 4 November 2024 7 April 2025 9 April 2025 21 July 2025      
Willingham 18 October 2024 24 March 2025 25 March 2025 7 July 2025      
Wimpole 12 November 2024 7 April 2025 7 April 2025 7 July 2025      

How does the council deal with weeds?

Chemical weed treatment is applied directly to any weeds in the gullies of roads and at the back of footways abutting a building, wall, or fence line. A period of about three to five weeks is typically required for the weed treatment to take effect. Subsequently, road sweepers are deployed to remove dead weeds from the gullies. In cases where weeds persist at the back of footways, we will work with district councils' street cleansing teams and our own contractors to ensure any persistent weeds are removed.

Do you spray treatment on weeds growing on private land?

We will not apply treatment where private land. such as lawns and shrub/flower beds, meets the footway.

Do you go out in all weathers?

If rain is forecast we will not carry out treatment on that day as the treatment needs time to dry on the plant to take full effect. The weed treatment schedule is weather-dependent, and the schedule published is subject to change. However, we will make every endeavour to keep to the published timetable as we appreciate how vital the weed treatment programme is.

How can I report weed growth in my area?

You can report any issues relating to weed growth to the Green Infrastructure team by emailing greeninfrastructure@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or by using our Highways Reporting Tool, reports received through this tool will be assessed within 10 working days.

Highways reporting tool planned maintenance notice. Due to an essential IT upgrade, our form for reporting highway issues will be offline from Friday 11 July at 3pm to Monday 14 July 2025. For further information please visit Report a highways fault. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We appreciate your assistance and cooperation to keep weed growth under control.

What can I do to prevent weed growth?

Weeds grow in the debris that builds up on the side the road next to the gullies. With regular sweeping the debris does not build up and the weeds have less chance of surviving. If you can keep the section of kerb outside of your property clear of debris by sweeping, this will help us to reduce the amount of herbicides we need to use.

What impact does the chemical weed treatment have on the environment?

It is important to note that the assessment of the environmental impact of specific chemicals is complex and subject to ongoing scientific research and regulatory evaluation. The county council consider all points raised regarding the use of herbicide. We consult with relevant experts and regulatory bodies and make informed decisions on the use of chemical weed spraying, taking into account both the benefits of weed control and the potential environmental risks.