Weed management trial on York’s highways extended

Feedback on a weed trail undertaken this year, to help manage weed treatment on the city’s highways, was taken to a public meeting for approval this week.

Like many other councils, York has used the herbicide, glyphosate as the basis for weed treatment for many years, primarily to control weeds on the highway network. 

In recognition of the concerns being raised about the environmental impact of glyphosate, the Executive agreed in March 2021, as part of the Pollinator Strategy, that alternative treatments would be trialled.

The feedback from this trial was considered by the Executive Member for Climate Change and Environment at a public meeting on 14 December to consider the feedback and future of the weed treatment trial.

As part of the trial, in early March 2022 all ward councillors were written to and asked if they wished to take part in trial, which would see a reduced spraying regime for their ward.

Those who participated in the trial fed back to indicate that they broadly supported the removal of one of the three sprays to reduce glyphosate usage (i.e. to reduce to two sprays).

A number of options, including this, were taken to the decision session for approval. It was agreed that the trial will continue for another 12 months, which will enable more feedback to be gained from residents. However,

It was agreed that no spraying will take place around the trees in the verges, and areas of York (wards) can choose to opt out of summer or autumn spray. Ward councillors have been asked to consult with residents before they choose to opt out though.

Ward councillors have also been asked to highlight any problem areas in their ward to the officers and these areas will be treated before or as part of the first spray in 2023.

Cllr Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change, at City of York Council, said: “We recognise that more could be done to control weed growth in the city, so the initial trial of alternative weed treatments has certainly been very valuable.

“Climate change is impacting on our landscape, with predicted warmer and wetter summers expected, so we know weed growth is changing.

“We want to understand the steps we need to take in the future to combat this, so I’m grateful for the feedback from this trial and welcome its extension. At the same time we are taking proactive steps now, including giving ward councillors the opportunity to opt out of either summer or autumn spray after consulting with their residents. The ongoing work will help us to tackle weed growth in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way possible, supporting our drive to a cleaner and greener city.”

The report also identified what treatments other local authorities use and provided examples of how effective they have been and what approaches have worked best.

The majority of the highway spraying in York is carried out on behalf of the council by an external contractor through a fixed term contract.

The treatment frequency is three times per year commencing in April, July and September.

It is also proposed glyphosate remains the treatment of choice for weeds on the highway, with the option of other treatments in specific problem areas. Further trials may be undertaken with alternative treatments, once there have been developments in the marketplace.

This decision is also endorsed by advice from public health experts, based on a 2017 study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which indicated that glyphosate does not pose a risk to human health.

The report was taken to an Executive Member for the Environment and Climate Change decision session on Wednesday 14 December at 3pm. Find out more about the meeting, or read the report here

To watch the meeting back again, visit www.york.gov.uk/webcasts