The 2026 Roadmap: Redefining Weed Management in the Amenity Sector

The landscape of amenity weed management is undergoing its most radical transformation in decades. With the National Action Plan (NAP) moving from a policy target to an operational mandate, 2026 is set to be the year where "business as usual" is no longer an option.

At Kersten UK, we’ve spent the last 15 years preparing for this shift. The future isn't about finding a single replacement for chemicals; it’s about a strategic harmony between timing, technology, and a new way of measuring success.

1. The "Bracknell Blueprint": Proof of the Bare Asset

One of the most significant shifts in 2026 will be the industry-wide adoption of data from our landmark trial with Bracknell Town Council and Complete Weed Control.

1. The Core Objective: This trial moves beyond simply comparing one machine to another. Instead, we are quantifying the exact reduction in herbicide achieved by aggressive early-season mechanical intervention.
2. The "Bare Asset" Strategy: By using mechanical brushing during the dormant winter and early spring months, we are resetting the pavement to a "bare asset" state. By removing organic detritus and silt before the growing season starts, we eliminate the seedbed.
3. The Result: We are proving that a clean start dramatically lowers the "chemical burden" for the rest of the year. When you begin with a bare asset, you don't need a heavy herbicide program; you only need light-touch, targeted spot treatments.

2. Thermal Evolution: The Integrated Advance

Thermal weed control has long been a pillar of the chemical-free movement, but 2026 brings a sophisticated new integration to our hot water systems that takes efficacy to a new level.

1. Enhanced Efficacy: We are currently finalizing a technology integration for our hot water units that moves beyond simple heat. Without revealing the specifics of the hardware just yet, this advance focuses on treating the surface at a deeper, more comprehensive level.
2. Synergistic Results: This integration enhances the impact of the thermal cycle, making the surface significantly less hospitable for future spores. It represents the "missing link" between immediate suppression and long-term surface hygiene.

3. BASIS Amenity Assured (BAA): The 2026 Update

The Basis Amenity Assured scheme is due for a vital update in 2026, aligning more closely with the rigorous requirements of the NAP.

1. New Standards of Competence: Expect a shift in how "competence" is measured. The 2026 update will require a multi-disciplinary approach that prioritizes mechanical and cultural controls.
2. Professionalization: This update will act as a filter, distinguishing contractors who simply "own a machine" from those who understand the complex science of IWM and infrastructure preservation.

4. Groundsfest Academy: The IWM Skills Day

Education is the most powerful tool for navigating these new regulations. In 2026, we are proud to support the Groundsfest Academy in launching a dedicated Integrated Weed Management Skills Day.

1. Hands-on Mastery: This is a move away from the classroom. It is a field-based masterclass where managers and operators can learn the "Bracknell Blueprint" firsthand.
2. Bridge the Gap: Attendees will learn how to achieve a bare asset through strategic timing and how to optimize integrated thermal systems to future-proof their operations against tightening regulations.

5. The New Math: Pesticide Load Indicators (PLI)

Perhaps the most technical change in 2026 is the shift in how councils and contractors measure success. The industry is moving away from measuring herbicide by simple volume and toward the Pesticide Load Indicator (PLI).

1. The Compliance Scorecard: The PLI is a complex metric that accounts for environmental toxicity and asset health.
2. The Mechanical Advantage: This change heavily favors mechanical-first strategies. Our early-season brushing doesn't just reduce the amount of chemical used; it significantly lowers a council's PLI score by eliminating the need for high-toxicity treatments. In 2026, we help you move from "guessing" your compliance to "proving" it with hard data.

Are You Ready for 2026?

The coming year is about more than just "weeding." It’s about managing clean surfaces through a strategic combination of mechanical resetting and integrated thermal advances. By focusing on the bare asset today, we protect the infrastructure of tomorrow.