Researchers from the University of Surrey's Institute for Sustainability have begun a new trial at Onslow Park and Ride in Guildford to assess different approaches to weed management, helping Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council better understand the most effective and sustainable options for managing public spaces.
The project forms part of the University's Civic Lab Collaboration with Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils and will compare a range of weed management methods, including glyphosate, hot foam and acetic acid. Researchers will assess not only how effectively each approach controls weeds, but also their wider environmental impacts, including resource use, waste, energy consumption and operational requirements.
The councils are committed to reducing reliance on herbicides wherever practical while ensuring parks, streets, footpaths and public spaces remain safe and accessible. The trial will provide valuable evidence to help inform future decisions about how weeds are managed across both boroughs.
Visitors to Onslow Park and Ride may notice areas of longer vegetation while the trial is underway, as researchers monitor how different treatments perform in real-world conditions.
Councillor Adam Duce, Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
“We know many residents are interested in how councils manage weeds and whether there are alternatives to traditional herbicides. This trial gives us the opportunity to properly assess a range of approaches and build a clearer understanding of what works best in practice.
Our aim is not to prove one method is right or wrong. We want to understand the effectiveness, costs and environmental impacts of different options so that future decisions are based on robust evidence.
By working closely with researchers at the University of Surrey, we can make informed decisions that support our sustainability ambitions while continuing to provide well-maintained public spaces for residents and visitors.
Councillor Angela Goodwin, Guildford Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Environment and Sustainability, said:
"As councils, we have a responsibility to look at how we manage our public spaces in ways that are both effective and environmentally sustainable. This trial is an important opportunity to gather robust evidence on the range of weed management options available and better understand their environmental impact.
"By working with the University of Surrey, we can take an informed, evidence-based approach that supports our ambitions for biodiversity and sustainability, while continuing to maintain safe, welcoming and accessible spaces for our residents."
Both councils already use a variety of approaches to manage weeds, including hand weeding, sweeping, mulching and jet washing where appropriate. The trial forms part of ongoing efforts to explore additional methods that could help reduce reliance on herbicides while supporting wider priorities around biodiversity, climate action and sustainable land management.
Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council have worked in partnership since 2022, sharing a management team and collaborating on a range of initiatives designed to improve services and deliver positive environmental outcomes for local communities.
Researchers will undertake a life cycle assessment of each treatment method and produce a final report and case study, helping the councils better understand the environmental and operational implications of different weed management approaches.
The project is part of the work of the University of Surrey's Institute for Sustainability, which brings together researchers and partners to address real-world sustainability challenges through collaboration, innovation and evidence-based solutions.
Professor Zoe Harris, Director of the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, Co-Director of the Institute of Sustainability, added:
“A lot of alternatives to glyphosate get marketed as eco-friendly, but that label rarely comes with evidence behind it. We are measuring water use, plastic waste, and fuel consumption for each method, and how effective they are at eradicating weeds. Hot foam might look greener but if it takes six goes to do what glyphosate does in one those extra vehicle trips and materials could mean it isn’t greener at all, and it costs more to apply. We want the council to choose based on evidence, not a label.”
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