Weeds and shrubbery growing on the pavements in London - anyone else noticed an increase?

[weedseverywhere]

I live in London and recently I've noticed a massive increase in the amount of weeds and shrubbery growing on the pavement and around tree bases and the area is starting to look a bit like a wasteland. I've written to the council but no reply.

I know in Brighton there was some rule about not removing weeds or using some sort of environmental weed killer that didn't work very well but has anyone else noticed the proliferation of weeds on pavements in their area and is this the start of a new environmentalist approach to weeds (to just let them grow) or just councils not wanting to spend money on keeping pavements clear of shrubbery?

YANBU - I have noticed an increase in pavement shrubbery/weeds.
YABU - Pavements in my area are still clear of weeds.

Not far from London and my council does no mow May, some ares have been left, the roundabouts in a nearby city are planted with wildflowers. No idea if it’s deliberate that the pavements are so weed filled. Saying that, where I walk the dogs, there’s a massive field which has gone crazy with poppies and yellow weeds this year, I reckon due to the rain/warmth of the weird weather.

I think it's partly the wet winter and spring which has made everything, including weeds, incredibly lush. Personally I love it! I'm terrified of climate change drying everything up, so I've enjoyed seeing the trees and plants going crazy this year.

But I get that if they're obstructing things it might be dangerous. Much as I adore trees, I've recently noticed many road signs obscured by vegetation and that's dangerous.

By "on the pavements" you mean between the paving slabs, or on the grass verges? A lot of councils now let grass verges grow longer to encourage wildlife and/or save money.

Many local councils are struggling financially due to the national government's austerity policies in recent years and spiralling social care costs. Would you be prepared to pay more council tax?

I find it heartening to see wildflowers and growth sprouting in the city where it can. Live and let live OP.

Our parish council has deliberately let them grow, to provide wildlife corridors for insects.

The council round here have stopped clearing the gutter. I was wondering if they had been stopped from using weedkiller sprays. We have grass growing between the pavement and the road, and a buddleia bush opposite.

The main road is the same with grass growing from the central reservation into the road. I saw men clearing some of it with spades last year.

This year is worse with all the wet weather.

Councils use No Mow May as some BS excuse not to mow verges and clip back hedges to save help wildlife. Wildlife don't live by the sides of roads.

The councils think they are saving money from doing this, but it will cost them more in the future. Weeds crack the road surface and kerb stones if not maintained.

I was a victim to a broken kerb stone about 7 years ago. It was about this time of the year, driving down a single carriageway B road. Ambulance was approaching with blues and twos on. Pulled over to left it through. Bang! A 3cm hole in my tyre wall. The kerbs were covered with grass and weeds - couldn't see the broken kerb.

The tall grass is making countryside driving dangerous as can't see the side roads

Then the tall grasses and other vegetation is causing hay fever and asthma to be bad.

Not London, but it is awful here. I pulled up a mega weed last time I put the green bin back from bin collection. Darn near filled it up

Literally on the pavements, growing between the pavements, around tree bases - very noticeable. Some of it is quite pretty- lots of wildflowers etc but I think they are a bit of an obstacle for people pushing prams or using wheelchairs. Some of the weeds are quite high now.

It’s got really bad in my area as well. Weeds can become a tripping hazard. My council is composed of liars. They take loads of money in council tax and don’t look after anything.

My LA only cuts grass, we have our our community gardening charity for 3 years now and we carry out most everything else, maintains beds, tubs etc and have created new areas.