Council seeking weed control alternatives for parks and open spaces

High Peak Borough Council is actively exploring alternative ways to control weeds in its parks and open spaces following public concerns about the use of herbicides containing glyphosate.

A spokesman for the council said: "Whilst  some of the herbicides we have been using are fully approved and licenced, they do contain glysophate. Therefore, whilst the Council is exploring alternatives we have taken the decision to immediately stop the use of any product that contains glyphosate in all of our public parks and open spaces.

"The Council also undertakes the weedspraying of public footpaths on behalf of Derbyshire County Council. The product we use for this does contain glyphosate and is used in line with applicable legislation and control methods. However there are no current alternative solutions that meet the requirements of this programme.

We would like to reassure High Peak residents and visitors that glyphosate is classed as low in toxicity and is not harmful to humans and pets. All our operatives involved in weed control are fully trained in line with current legislation and best practice."