The treatment of weeds on roads and pavements will become more frequent following public concerns.

The new programme will begin nlater thisext month to coincide with the onset of spring and summer and will involve a deep clean of some rural roads, more efficient street sweeping and increasing the treatments from two to three a year where necessary.

St Albans council has temporarily taken over weed treatment from Herts County Council after members of the public complained about the programme.

The district council’s portfolio holder for the environment Daniel Chichester-Miles said: “We are determined to get this right for the benefit of our residents as we want the district to look as good as possible.

“We are more aware of these localised issues than anyone and it was clear action needed to be taken to bring about much-needed improvements.”