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News

Waging War On Weeds

Borough of Poole has a new weapon in the battle against unsightly weeds.

The extended period of wet weather in recent months has contributed to increasing levels of weed growth across the borough this year as chemical herbicide has literally been washed away.

Staff from Borough of Poole’s Environmental and Consumer Protection Services (E&CPS) are now using a mechanical weed ripper to tackle the perennial problem of keeping the town’s streets free from weeds.

The new weed ripper is an efficient, economic and environmentally friendly way of removing weeds from footpaths, highways and other hard surface areas.

Borough of Poole, like many other local authorities, is facing an increasing challenge in tackling weeds. EU regulations have meant councils must reduce the strength of herbicides used to treat and protect public land from weeds. In addition the herbicide is water-soluble and affected by rainfall.

The mechanical street sweepers have also been issued with improved wire composite sweeper brushes to support the manual weed treatment programme undertaken by the Council each year.

Cllr Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Borough of Poole, said: “The recent wet weather has provided good growing conditions for weeds and tough conditions for weed killing. The council has a responsibility to keep Poole’s streets clean and we have been looking for alternatives to poison. We are switching to equipment like the new weed ripper and brushes to keep the weeds at bay. We will keep working to remove these weeds as soon as possible."

Public highways are sprayed with an approved weed killer once a year.

E&CPS officers are currently carrying out a full review of its weed treatment programme.

Lisa Gaskell, Communications Co-ordinator
Tel: 01202 633060