Hastings Borough Council opposes the use of glyphosate on our streets

Hastings Borough Council is supporting local residents who are opposed to East Sussex County Council's continued use of the weedkiller glyphosate on the streets of Hastings.
 
Cllr Maya Evans, lead councillor for the environment, explained :- 

"East Sussex County Council is responsible for maintaining our roads and most of our pavements, and are currently choosing to use glyphosate as a weed control. We have already asked whether an alternative can be used, they claim that their budget is insufficient to remove street plants (weeds) by more environmentally friendly methods such as 'grubbing out'.
 
"Since becoming the lead member for natural environment, I have been working hard to find an alternative, and we are looking for Hastings Borough Council to take on the responsibility for maintaining street plants.
 
"Street plant maintenance sits within a bigger vision around how we can maximise biodiversity, and promote plants which are particularly supportive of local wildlife.
 
"Hastings Borough Council does not agree with the use of glyphosate on our streets, we have previously passed motions pledging to supporting pollinating insects, especially bees.
 
"We are horrified by the county council's use of this toxic chemical on our streets, we are aware of the impact it has on the natural environment, and the potential risk it possess to human health.
 
"We are working hard behind the scenes to take radical action. Hastings Borough Council is dissatisfied with choices made by East Sussex County Council, and we are taking practical steps to take our town back, and to run it so that people and planet are prioritised and protected.
 
"In the meantime, where individual streets have asked to take on responsibility for maintain street plants by removing them themselves, we strongly believe they should be allowed to do so. It is ridiculous for East Sussex County Council to spend money spraying the streets with glyphosate when local residents are happy to do the weeding themselves."