Southampton City Council

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Parks and Green Spaces

Small mycouncil TV logoLearn about the wildlife on the common at The Hawthorns - video

Park ImageSouthampton has a wealth of award winning parks including the Grade II listed central parks located in the city centre. Have a look at each parks individual management plan for information specific to the park.

Wherever you live in Southampton you will not be far from your local green space.

The Hawthorns Wildlife Centre, located on Southampton Common, provides information on how we manage our open spaces to protect and increase biodiversity. You can also stop for a coffee in the Hawthorns Cafe. The Common, an historic open space in the centre of Southampton, is a site of special scientific interest. It includes Southampton Old Cemetery acquired in 1843 it covers 27 acres and is a site rich in wildlife.

Events in our parks and green spaces take place throughout the year. A programme of walks and talks take place in many of our parks. Have a look at the park events to see what's happening near you.

Tackling and disposing of Japanese Knotweed

1. Why is Japanese Knotweed a major problem?

Japanese KnotweedJapanese Knotweed is a vigorous and invasive plant that spreads rapidly and is hard to kill. It can cause structural damage to buildings and hard surfaces like paths and roads. It can reach over three metres tall and forms dense thickets that kill off other plant life.

Japanese Knotweed spreads via its roots so there is no quick solution to removing it. The roots can spread as far as seven metres around and two metres deep. Trying to dig up the plant often results in spreading the roots and increasing the problem or moving it to new areas. For this reason it is classified as a controlled waste and must be disposed of at a licensed waste site.

2. What does Japanese Knotweed look like?

Japanese KnotweedThe plant has large oval green leaves that form on hollow stems similar to bamboo. Cream coloured clusters of flowers appear in July but do not produce seeds that will grow.







3. Japanese Knotweed life cycle

Japanese KnotweedThe plant starts growing in the spring and by July will form dense thickets of stems, which can be over three metres high. The plant dies back in the autumn, storing nutrients in buds along the roots, ready for rapid growth the following spring.

Cutting the stems in September prevents the plant for taking nutrients back down to the roots and over time weakens them.

4. Responsibility and the law

The Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 states ‘It is an offence to plant or otherwise cause the plant to grow in the wild’. This means that cutting or disturbing the soil if not correctly managed could be an offence. If you allow the plant to spread onto adjacent land it may be considered a nuisance. As the landowner you are responsible and could be sued for costs and damages.

If the Japanese Knotweed grows across boundaries we advise both parties to act. Before attempting to remove the weed you must consider how you will dispose of the cleared plant. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Japanese Knotweed is classed as controlled waste and as such must only be disposed of at a licensed landfill site.

5. The council’s responsibility for Japanese Knotweed

Where it is found on council owned land we will take appropriate action to control it spreading.

The council is not obliged to control Japanese Knotweed on behalf of other land owners. Shared problems between neighbours need to be tackled jointly.

6. Using chemicals to kill Japanese Knotweed

The only way to get rid of Japanese Knotweed is to kill the large root system which can take around three years. Spraying over many years appears to be the most effective option. When sprayed the plant may look dead but the underground roots may still be alive. Removing the dead knotweed stems in the winter and spraying the new emerging growth in spring and again in the autumn before the leaves fall is the more effective method of eradication.

Glyphosate based herbicides are the most effective or use of an approved contractor who has PA1/PA6 certification could be used to spray the professional and stronger forms of Glyphosate. The cut stems can be burnt on site or disposed of at a licensed tip.

Illegal dumping could result in a fine under the Countryside and Wildlife Act and a breach of fly tipping laws which has a maximum penalty of £50,000.

Another control method is to cut down growing stems 8-10 cm tall and inject the stumps with 10 millilitres of Glyphosate just before the first growing node. The herbicide needs to be at a concentration of ten times the usual foliar (leaf) application.

This method avoids the chemical killing other plants in close proximity and uses less chemicals than leaf spraying.

It is also the preferred method where the knotweed is growing amongst plants you would like to keep.

7. Removing Japanese Knotweed without chemicals

It is very difficult to remove well established infestations without the help of herbicides. Cutting or mowing with gradually weaken the plant but it could take over five years to exhaust the root system.

You need to cut stems once a month during the growing season. Unless you can burn the cut stems on site, we advise against cutting down the plant, as transporting it risks the plant spreading elsewhere.

Pulling up shoots is more effective because this also disrupts and crown and roots. However this produces the most infectious waste and it must be disposed of with great care. You should stack stems and roots on polythene sheets before burning or disposing of them. If you are storing plant material, you must check it regularly to ensure it is not re-growing and is not able to contaminate water courses. You cannot compost pulled cuttings as they will re-grow.

8. Where to dispose of Japanese Knotweed

The local amenity tips are not licensed to accept such waste and will refuse to accept this material. The landfill sites are also unwilling to accept Japanese Knotweed from private gardens. The city council offers a Japanese Knotweed collection service for which there is a small charge. The reason for this charge is that Japanese Knotweed is a polluted material and as such must be disposed of through special arrangements with our waste disposal contractor. Please email parks@southamtpon.gov.uk to arrange for a visit and quote for disposal. The city council does not offer an eradication programme just a disposal route.

9. Do's

Do act quickly, if you find Japanese Knotweed you should act immediately as it won’t go away.

Do use herbicides safely, follow instructions.

Do ensure Japanese Knotweed is burned (dried stems only).

Do co-operate with your neighbours to control Japanese Knotweed across boundaries.

Do tell us of infestations on council owned land.

10. Don'ts

Do not fly tip Japanese Knotweed.

Do not contaminate green waste composting schemes (the green waste bin at the tip) or place in green garden waste bags.

Do not spread out stems and crowns pile them up on non porous surfaces such as plastic sheeting and allow to die before burning or moving.

Do not spread contaminated soil. Soil within seven metres of plant and up to two metres deep could be infected with possible roots.

Do not add to compost. Compost separately so you can be sure it’s fully broken down before re-use.

Do not break the law. If you cause Japanese Knotweed to spread you could be guilty of an offence under the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981.

11. Further information on Japanese Knotweed

Visit the Environment Agency's website.

Leaf Clearance

1. When does leaf clearance take place?

Leaf clearance takes place during the autumn and winter with additional resources allocated during October to January.

2. How are leaf clearance areas prioritised?

During October to January area teams have a programme of leaf clearance that prioritises areas of heavy leaf fall and areas prone to flooding.

3. What areas are prone to high leaf fall?

Central AreaEast AreaWest Area
BassettArchery RoadColebrook Avenue/St James Road
Bassett GreenBarnes CloseCowdray Close
HighfieldBitterne RoadLordswood Road/Coxford Road
Inner AvenueBotley RoadMalwood Avenue/Linford Crescent
PortswoodButts RoadSandpiper Road
Freemantle Common Road
Glenfield Crescent
Kootenay Avenue
Merryoak Road
Midanbury Lane
Middle Road
Minstead Avenue
Montgomery Road
Mousehole Lane
Pine Drive
Portsmouth Road
River Walk
South East Road
Spring Road
St Annes Road
Swift Road
Thornhill Park Road
Thorold Road
Westend Road
Weston Lane
Wide Lane
Woodland Close

4. What areas are prone to flooding?

Central AreaEast AreaWest Area
Above Bar Street outside the MarlandsAlfriston Road in the dipLordshill Way at the junction with Coxford Road
Albert Road North at the junction of Endle StreetAthelstan Road at the junction with Garfield RoadLordswood Road at the junction with Dunkirk Road
Burgess Road opposite bookmakersAthelstan Road outside numbers 78-98Lower Brownhill Road opposite number 77
Central Bridge at the junction with the Itchen BridgeBarnfield Close outside number 23Millbrook Road West at the junction with Third Avenue
Charlotte Place roundabout to the side of the hotelBarry Road at the junction with Bursledon RoadRomsey Road opposite Jupiter Close
Civic Centre Hill at the junction with Western EsplanadeBotley Road from Portsmouth Road to Lowry GardensSandpiper Road opposite the community centre
Derby Road at the junction of Oxford AvenueBridge Road under the bridgeSt James Road at the junction with Bellemoor Road
East Street outside the camera shopBrowning Avenue at the end of frying pan turn around point
Highfield Lane outside of Kingfisher CourtBullar Road outside of Bed E Buys
Honeysuckle Road outside number 26Bursledon Road opposite the fire station
Inner Avenue at the junction of Archers RoadDell Road outside of number 43
Kingsway by the crossing and North FrontForest Hills Drive outside of Forest View
Mansbridge Road at the junction of Itchenside CloseGlenfield Avenue outside number 30
Millbrook Road East outside number 43Hazel Road outside of unit 13
Mount Pleasant Road by the railway lineHinkler Road at the junction with Ellwood Close
New Road at the junction by the traffic lightsMansbridge Road at the junction with Itchenside Close
Newtown Road outside number 72Mousehole Lane at the junction with Glenfield Avenue
Old Mill Way within turnaround circleNapier Road
Platform Road by bus stopNewtown Road outside of number 72
Queens Terrace by parking baysPortsmouth Road outside of St Marks Church
Southern Road at the junction with West Quay RoadSelbourne Avenue outside of number 55
The Avenue subwaySomerset Avenue at the junction with Cheriton Avenue
University Road by the crossingSt Aubins Avenue outside of number 68
Wide Lane outside the Flemings ArmsThornhill Park Road outside numbers 6-20
Wide Lane roundaboutThornhill Road at the junction with Highclere Avenue
Woodmill Lane outside the car parkVictoria Road/Portsmouth Road junction by the bank in Woolston
Woodside Road outside Woodside CourtWest End Road outside of number 17
Weston Parade

5. Why are there leaves in shrub beds?

Leaves are left in shrub beds as a natural mulch.

6. Can you clear leaves from my garden?

It is up to residents to clear and dispose of leaves from their own property responsibly.

Find out about the garden waste collection service in Southampton.

7. Do you collect all leaves on open land?

The council is responsible for clearing leaves from council land but you can help look after your local area by clearing leaves.

8. How do I report a build up of leaves at other times of the year?

If there is a build up of leaves outside of the leaf clearing programme (October to January) please contact the council on 023 8083 3008 or email sparkling@southampton.gov.uk.

Map of Southampton’s parks and green spaces


View Parks in a larger map

Find your local park by using Google maps.

Use the scroll keys + or - to zoom in or zoom out. Use your mouse cursor to drag the map around in any direction. If you want to see a larger map then click on the link provided underneath the map.

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Contact information

If you want to contact us regarding the content of this page please contact us at:

  • 0800 519 1919
  • Parks and street cleansing, Southampton City Council, One Guildhall Square, Southampton, SO14 7FP

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