Local authority public-realm and amenity management
Move from policy pressure to a confident, evidence-led purchase.
Kersten has already invested in research, field trials and real-world machinery applications. Start with a discussion, agree a practical plan, see the right equipment demonstrated and choose with confidence.
- Discussion
- Planning
- Demonstration
- Evidence
- Implementation
- Support
A clearer route to action
Discuss, plan, demonstrate and buy with confidence.
You do not need to create a new research project before making progress. Kersten can help turn your objectives, surfaces, existing fleet and service pressures into a practical equipment and implementation plan.
The strongest next step is a structured discussion based on your current service, supported by existing evidence and a relevant equipment demonstration.
Start with a focused discussion
Share your objectives, current approach, problem surfaces, service pressures and any policy or procurement deadlines.
Agree a practical route
Use Kersten's evidence and application experience to connect surface condition, intervention hierarchy, fleet fitment and operating requirements.
See the right setup working
Arrange a relevant demonstration using the machine, attachment or method most closely matched to your surfaces and service needs.
Buy with confidence
Make the purchase decision with clearer expectations around fitment, operation, support, training and likely application outcomes.
Different services, one supported decision process
Make the discussion relevant to the service you manage.
Kersten can tailor the discussion, evidence and demonstration around highways, housing, parks, town centres, sensitive sites or mixed public-realm portfolios.
Highways, kerbs and footways
Coordinate cleansing, extraction and surface inspection across the network.
Build route-based activity around kerbs, gullies, channels and path edges while accounting for traffic management, parked vehicles and material collection.
- Route length and transport between work zones
- Kerbs, gullies, channels and path edges
- Collection and disposal of extracted material
- Pedestrian and traffic management
- Condition standards and recovery priorities
Structure the first conversation
Use surface condition to guide the discussion, not to make the decision alone.
A small amount of site information helps Kersten focus the meeting and demonstration. The tool below is a conversation aid, not a substitute for an assisted review.
Prevention
Light accumulation and surface-level growth. Keep the site within routine sweeping, collection and inspection.
Intervention window open
Established growth may still be removable as a complete mass. Prioritise extraction and follow-up cleansing.
Window closing or closed
Roots appear anchored into joints, cracks or defects. Separate vegetation treatment from asset repair.
Possible structural involvement
Woody or deeply anchored growth is associated with substantial accumulation or visible surface failure.
Meeting preparation tool
Give the Kersten team a clearer starting point.
Use these observations to describe the site. Kersten will relate them to existing research, suitable methods, machinery fitment and the next practical step.
Stage 1 - Prevention
Preparation aid only. Final recommendations, machine configuration and operating decisions should follow an assisted review and, where appropriate, a demonstration.
Evidence-led method selection
Choose from a proven hierarchy, not from guesswork.
Kersten's work across mechanical, thermal, electrical and targeted approaches helps councils compare methods within one practical hierarchy.
Prevention and extraction
Reduce the growth medium and return suitable surfaces to a planned cleansing cycle.
- Sweeping and collection
- Weed brushing on suitable surfaces
- Path-edge recovery
- Joint and drainage housekeeping
Non-chemical suppression
Select physical treatment around the plant, surface, access, scale and required outcome.
- Hot water or hot air
- Controlled flame systems
- Electrical treatment
- Cutting or manual intervention
Justified targeted pesticide use
Where treatment remains necessary, make the decision within applicable legal and competence arrangements.
- Targeted rather than automatic use
- Appropriate product and application
- Competent operation
- Recorded reasoning and review
Council meeting brief
Prepare for a productive strategy meeting.
Summarise your service area, objective, site condition and available fleet. Kersten can then use the brief to prepare the discussion, evidence and demonstration around your situation.
Highways strategy and equipment discussion
Discuss kerbs, footways, gullies and known problem locations. Share current treatment, surface condition, access and service pressures.
Review whether planned sweeping, collection and early mechanical intervention could reduce establishment and repeat treatment.
Kersten will review front or rear linkage, PTO arrangement, hydraulic flow and return, axle capacity, ballast, route width and collector options.
Use the discussion to define a practical reduction objective, the evidence required and the most suitable machinery or method route.
Kersten can confirm the configuration, demonstrate the setup and support the final purchase decision.
Fleet fitment
Confirm fitment before committing budget.
Kersten can review the exact machine, mounting interface, drive method, hydraulics, PTO, capacity, controls, width and intended task before recommending a configuration.
Our machine is listed
Use the Compatibility Centre to identify an established attachment route and supporting components.
Our model is not listed
Send the make, model, linkage, PTO, hydraulic, coupler and intended-task information for an assisted review.
We need a dedicated solution
Compare pedestrian power units, dedicated equipment and attachment systems around access, transport and utilisation.
We want to see the configuration working
Confirm fitment, then arrange a relevant demonstration so operators and decision-makers can understand the setup before purchase.
Supported purchase and implementation pathway
Move from the first meeting to an equipped, supported service.
A structured process helps the authority understand the recommendation, see the equipment working, make the purchase decision and introduce it with the right support.
Discussion and review
Discuss objectives, current methods, representative surfaces, access, fleet, operator needs, procurement requirements and timescales.
Plan and evidence review
Use Kersten's trial evidence, case studies and application experience to shortlist suitable methods and confirm the most relevant machinery route.
Demonstration and configuration
Demonstrate the proposed configuration, confirm carrier fitment, operating requirements, accessories, training and expected application approach.
Purchase, training and support
Complete the purchase with clear configuration, delivery, training, aftersales support and an agreed implementation plan.
Proof already in place
Use existing trials and real configurations to buy with confidence.
Evidence should explain the baseline, intervention, machine configuration, operational inputs and measured outcome, not only show a clean surface.
Bracknell Integrated Weed Management Trial
What changes when the growth medium is removed first?
The June 2026 update reported 49% less active substance on brush-and-spray plots than comparable spray-only plots across five sites during the first pesticide application. The wider seasonal trial remains in progress.
Explore the trial →*First application, five comparable sites; see the trial page for methodology and limitations.
Council fleet integration
Turn a carrier into a coordinated extraction and collection system.
Existing tractors and ride-on carriers can support front and rear attachment routes where fitment, capacity and the operating task align. This can connect extraction, sweeping and collection within one route-based operation.
Read the Edinburgh case study →Continue with Kersten
Use the evidence, practical guidance and support already available.
These pages support the discussion, help colleagues understand the evidence and provide routes into demonstrations, fitment checks, training and procurement.
NAP 2025 Council Guide
Understand the policy context, evidence base and practical route from strategy to implementation.
Read the council guideBracknell IWM Trial
Review the research design, species-depth evidence and first-application comparison.
Explore the trialMonthly IWM Workshop
Develop practical understanding of mechanical, thermal, electrical and integrated approaches.
View workshop datesThe Weeds Are Not the Problem
Explore the thinking behind surface condition, prevention and evidence-led weed management.
View the bookMachine Compatibility Centre
Check how existing tractors, mowers and carriers can be matched to suitable attachments.
Check compatibilityMachinery Hire
Use hire where a short-term operational requirement or extended evaluation is appropriate.
Explore machinery hireConfident procurement
Turn the agreed plan into a clear purchase.
The discussion, evidence review and demonstration should lead to a clearly configured machine or system, with the support, training and operating expectations understood before ordering.
- Method selection
- Fitment confirmation
- Relevant demonstration
- Operating outputs
- Implementation requirements
- Maintenance and consumables
- Support measures
- Hire and finance routes
- Case-study evidence
- Procurement specifications
Discuss the required outcome
Clarify the service objective, current approach, constraints, timescale and decision process.
Review representative sites
Share photographs, measurements or site details so the recommendation is grounded in real operating conditions.
Shortlist and demonstrate
Use Kersten's evidence to shortlist the right route, confirm fitment and arrange a relevant demonstration.
Confirm the proposed configuration
Agree the machine, attachment, accessories, operator requirements, training and support package.
Purchase and implement
Order with confidence, train the team and introduce the equipment through a practical implementation plan.
Frequently asked questions
Questions before starting the discussion.
The final programme should be grounded in the authority's applicable legislation, contracts, competence arrangements and local procedures.
Does NAP 2025 ban pesticide use in public spaces?
No. The plan promotes Integrated Pest Management, lower dependency and reduced risks and impacts. It should not be presented as an immediate blanket prohibition on all amenity pesticide use. Targeted use may remain part of an integrated programme where it is justified, lawful and appropriately managed.
Why connect weed management with cleansing and detritus?
Accumulated material can provide a growth medium in joints, kerbs and low points. Coordinating cleansing, weed management and surface inspection can reduce repeat establishment and reveal defects that would otherwise remain hidden.
What if previous non-chemical trials have underperformed?
Bring the previous approach into the discussion. Kersten can review the surface condition, timing, machine setup, collection, repeat frequency and intended outcome, then explain how the available evidence and equipment options differ.
Do we need to run our own pilot before buying?
Not necessarily. Kersten has already invested in trials, research and real-world applications. A focused discussion, representative site information and a relevant demonstration can usually provide a much more efficient route to a confident decision.
Can Kersten work with machinery we already own?
Potentially. Compatibility depends on the exact model, mounting interface, PTO or hydraulics, carrier capacity, controls and intended task. Use the Compatibility Centre or request an assisted fitment check before assuming suitability.
Should the programme aim to eliminate all pesticide use immediately?
The stronger objective is an evidence-led hierarchy that prevents unnecessary routine use, applies effective alternatives where suitable and retains justified targeted interventions where necessary.
Council strategy discussion
Start with a conversation, then move forward with confidence.
Discuss your objectives, current methods, representative surfaces, existing machinery, procurement needs and timescale. Kersten can then prepare an evidence-led plan and a relevant demonstration.
General information only. This page does not constitute legal, procurement, health-and-safety or engineering advice.