City of Wolverhampton Council is improving weed control with two new quad bikes. From left are Andrew Harrison, grounds maintenance; Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services; and Matthew Sheffield, grounds maintenance
The fight against weeds is revving up a gear as City of Wolverhampton Council uses quad bikes to speed up spraying.
Almost 500 miles of the city’s highways and footpaths are currently being treated by the bikes which allow council staff to spray more quickly and efficiently by covering larger areas in less time and targeting weeds more directly.
Using the vehicles reduces both time and costs as previously weed control had been undertaken by council staff on foot and by external contractors. In addition, the updated application method reduces the amount of herbicides used by up to 70% to minimise the impact on local wildlife.
The quad bike teams are currently tackling weeds on highways, footpaths, open spaces and verges to ensure the city is kept looking attractive and presentable for residents and visitors.
Members of staff will be using the bikes for around 20 weeks of spraying a year, covering the period from April to September. In total, 475 miles of highways and footpaths are being treated. Once sprayed, the treatment can take up to 14 days to take effect.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, said: “We know that weeds can make our city look untidy and unattractive, especially when they grow around pavements, block paved areas and footpaths.
“By using the quad bikes, we can better target the weed control. This will reduce costs and free up resources, helping us to spend money more effectively.
“Quad bikes allow us to access those areas that are more difficult to reach and the teams will follow all relevant safety guidelines to minimise environmental impacts and ensure compliance with the law.
“We have to continue to look at innovative ways to tackle issues like this and we are committed to using the latest technology to maintain our community spaces for everyone to enjoy.”