Hove MP Peter Kyle letter to council on pavement weeds in Brighton

Peter Kyle's concerns come after Brighton and Hove City Council faced heavy criticism last summer for not “coming up with a solution” to not using harmful herbicides on the city’s pavements.

In his letter, the Labour MP for Hove asked the council to “effectively tackle the huge, giant plants which dominate and block the pavements”.

Manor Way in Brighton last summer

He said: “As we head into May we are already seeing a proliferation of weeds.

"We know that in many areas – particularly Portslade, Hangleton and West Hove – these monstrous weeds block the pavement, take over the street and create considerable challenges for prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers.

“Residents tell me they understand the move, supported by Greens and Labour locally, to ban pesticides or herbicides containing harmful chemicals.

“However, the council has now had since 2019 to come up with a solution to clearing away the most problematic weeds, it’s clear that a few labourers cutting back by hand is not enough to destroy the worst of it in the city.”

Weeds on footpaths in Greenleas, Hangleton last summer

Last summer was the second year that pavements have not been sprayed with glyphosate herbicide.

Mr Kyle urged the council to use similar methods to other councils such as fatty acid spray, acetic acid spray, hot water and steam removal among other techniques to rid of the weeds.

The council has previously deemed methods such as hot foam "not very effective".

A council spokesman told The Argus this week the authority "knew stopping glyphosates would lead to more weeds on paved areas". 

A batch of industrial grade weed strimmers have been ordered. The council also stated that it has encouraged recruitment of more staff for weed removal but positions have not been filled.

It also encouraged people to join existing volunteer groups to help out with the weed removal effort, stating that equipment can be provided for free.

Weeds in Brighton last year

The council told The Argus previously they are trialling new equipment such as a new mechanical weed ripper that will “allow better removal from open spaces and wide footways”.

With 975,670km of pavements stretching across the city, 243,917km were cleared through the council’s manual techniques in the municipal year from May 2020 to 2021.

The same time period saw the council payout over £12,000 to people injured falling on pavements.

Mr Kyle addressed the letter to leader of the council Phélim Mac Cafferty last Thursday, April 28.

But the 51-year-old told The Argus he has yet to receive a response from the council regarding his concerns and the solutions offered.

A council spokesman said: “In 2019 the council unanimously agreed to stop using glyphosate herbicides on the streets of Brighton & Hove. Glyphosates have been shown to kill wildlife and pollinators and they also have a detrimental effect on human health.

“We need to increase biodiversity to combat the ecological emergency in our city.

“A recent petition to the council with more than 100,000 signatures called for us to widen restrictions on pesticides - as they can be directly related to killing off our native starlings.

“Native wildflower species such as dandelion, red clover and hogweed are incredible for supporting the most pollinating insects. This in turn supports a wider thriving ecology.  

Photo: Emily Beament/PA

“We knew stopping Glyphosates would lead to more weeds on paved areas. But many residents have also welcomed the weeds as habitats for insects and bees and complain when we remove them.  

“Last year we conducted a very successful trial of an industrial grade weed strimmer. So we’ve bought more for this year and have even more on order. 

“In the city centre where roads and pavements are swept daily, our street cleaning team clear weeds and this work is continuing. 

“There is a national shortage of manual workers. We’ve made extra efforts this year to reach out to as many people as possible, including a special recruitment day to recruit more staff for weed removal. However, we still have unfilled posts and these are currently being advertised. 

The council has stopped using glyphosates since 2019

“We have completed a hot water trial and considered it not to be effective in weed removal. We have also tried Foamstream, but this doesn’t work as it doesn’t kill all types of weeds.

“Residents and community groups in some areas of the country – including Brighton & Hove – are volunteering with their local councils to help remove weeds in their local areas.  

“We can support groups who want to organise a tidy in their area, including weed removal, through providing hoes, gloves and bags. Local groups that want to get involved can email communitycleanup@brighton-hove.gov.uk."