Brighton & Hove City Council has announced its “new approach” to tackling overgrown and dangerous weeds on pavements and roads will start next week.
According to the council, uncontrolled weed growth is “a big problem for the city”. In a release, the council said: “Five years of relying solely on manual weeding has left some streets unsafe or inaccessible to wheelchair users, parents and carers with buggies and those with visual or mobility impairments. Weeds are in some cases causing damage to highways resulting in increasing costs to fix. Roots are also breaking up footpaths and weeds are restricting drains.”
From Monday, 13 May, a controlled-droplet application of glyphosate will be introduced alongside other methods of removal to manage the problem.
This new approach, the council says, is “more targeted and sustainable than previous glyphosate application methods. It will get to the root of the weeds while also reducing the risk of run off to other plants or parts of the street where it’s not needed.”
Treatment will only be applied to visible weeds on roads and pavements. Glyphosate won’t be used in parks and open spaces or on any roads that don’t need to be treated.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Chair of the City Environment, South Downs & The Sea Committee, said: “We have a duty to ensure our roads and pavements are safe and accessible for all of our residents and visitors, but 5 years of manual weeding alone simply hasn’t been effective, and we have been forced to act.
“Most councils across the country still use glyphosate in its conventional form, but we have chosen this new approach, which is much more targeted and mitigates risk to the environment.
“Treatment will not be applied in parks or green spaces, and it won’t be used on wildflowers unless they are presenting a hazard. Crucially, it won’t be used where it isn’t needed.
“We will only treat visible weeds, so any areas that are kept clear by residents will not need to be treated.
“We’d love to have the help of residents and community groups to keep treatment to a minimum, so please do get in touch with the Tidy Up Team if you’d like to be involved. They can help by providing sacks and tools, as well as collecting the waste.
“Once the problem is back under control, we will reduce the use of glyphosate. For now, this is the best way to balance the need to keep residents safe and pavements accessible with protecting the city’s biodiversity.”