Bridgwater Town Council is pleased to announce the successful completion of its spring cycle of highway weed spraying across the town.
The treatment, delivered by specialist contractor GTMS Environmental Services Ltd, was completed efficiently and safely, and visible results are expected to be apparent within the next few weeks.
In a significant stride towards sustainability, the Council has also received usage data confirming a remarkable 40% reduction in chemical application compared to the traditional blanket spraying method employed in the previous year. This achievement demonstrates the Council’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible resource management.
This year’s success is in large part due to the introduction of ‘Weed Wizard’ technology which is a pioneering system developed by Techneat Engineering in Cambridgeshire.
The Weed Wizard utilises advanced ‘magic eye’ sensors paired with artificial intelligence to detect green vegetation against hard surfaces. The system applies herbicide only where necessary, accurately spot-treating weeds without spraying bare ground. This approach greatly reduces herbicide usage, minimises runoff into drains and green spaces, and enhances operator productivity.
Bridgwater is among the first towns in the United Kingdom, and potentially worldwide, to trial this cutting-edge technology in an amenity hard-surface setting.
GTMS, the appointed contractor, will continue to work closely with the Weed Wizard’s manufacturer to refine the system’s performance ahead of the early autumn treatment. These refinements are expected to further enhance both chemical efficiency and operational productivity.
As part of their quality assurance measures, GTMS will conduct a formal inspection of treated areas within the next three weeks to verify the system’s effectiveness and identify any remedial work required.
This initiative forms part of Bridgwater Town Council’s broader strategy to deliver cleaner, safer streets through sustainable practices and to explore emerging technologies that benefit both the local community and the environment.
