We work to keep Cambridge’s streets clean, safe and pleasant for residents and visitors.

We sweep streets, clear leaves and debris, remove weeds from roads and pavements, and respond to issues such as spillages.

We no longer routinely uses herbicides to control weeds on streets and pavements. Instead, we manage weeds using mechanical sweepers and manual removal.

This herbicide-free approach helps protect wildlife, soil and water quality, but weeds can grow more quickly between cleaning visits. We remove weeds as part of our routine street cleaning and through planned deep-cleaning programmes.

Street sweeping and routine cleaning

We clean city-centre streets and busy shopping areas every day. We sweep residential streets on a regular schedule using mechanical sweepers and manual cleaning.

This work removes:

• litter
• dirt and debris
• leaves
• vegetation and weeds along kerbs and pavements

Regular sweeping helps prevent weeds becoming established in kerbs, gutters and paving joints.

Street deep-cleaning programme

Alongside routine street sweeping, we carry out a programme of deeper street cleaning across the city. This work focuses on removing built-up debris, heavy weed growth and compacted dirt from kerb lines, pavements and gutters.

Deep cleaning forms part of our herbicide-reduction approach. We do it using mechanical equipment and manual removal methods.

The programme follows the ward-based schedule set out in our Herbicide Reduction Plan [PDF] and Weed Management Work Program [PDF].

Because this programme is planned across the whole city, we cannot respond to ad hoc requests for deep cleaning. We prioritise and schedule streets as part of the citywide programme.

Deep-cleaning programme updates

Areas completed:

• Cherry Hinton – January to February 2026

Current areas:

• Arbury – February 2026 to present

We will provide updates here as the programme moves to other wards across the city.

Fallen leaves and fruit

Cambridge has many trees, so large amounts of leaves fall onto roads and pavements during autumn. Rotting leaves and fallen fruit can become slippery and attract pests if left for long periods.

We prioritise clearing leaves and fruit from:

• busy pedestrian areas
• locations prone to flooding
• road junctions and crossings

We do this as part of our seasonal cleansing programme.

Fallen leaves on private land

Please do not add to our workload by blowing or sweeping leaves from your property onto public land. Doing so is unlawful and adds to the risk of accident or injury to pedestrians and vehicles.

Fallen leaves belong to whoever owns the land they naturally fall onto. Please dispose of them responsibly and do not sweep or blow leaves from your property onto public land.

Report street-cleaning issues

Our form to request a clean of a street or footpath is not working at the moment. Please phone us to tell us where you have seen the problem and we’ll request it for you.

You can report issues such as:

• debris
• spillages such as oil or paint on the highway
• fallen fruit or leaves creating a hazard

Where appropriate, we might wash down the area to remove substances such as oil, paint or other materials that could create a safety risk.