Medway Labour and Co-operative councillors are putting pressure on Medway Council to end the use of damaging herbicides in our green spaces.

Cllr Simon Curry presented a member’s item outlining the issue to Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee last week.

Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Labour and Co-operative Councillor for Luton and Wayfield said, ‘There is a really strong case for no longer using herbicides in our public spaces, we already know that glyphosate is harmful to biodiversity and there is increasing evidence that it may be harmful to animals and humans.

‘Many conservation bodies such as Plantlife and the Bee Conservation Trust advocate not using chemicals at all, and Kent Wildlife Trust are currently running a campaign to encourage people to give up using herbicides in their gardens – promising that you’ll wonder why you ever used chemicals.

‘A weed is a wildflower in the wrong place – we shouldn’t be worrying about cutting down or spraying weeds in our public spaces, but encouraging them because of their positive effect on the environment.

‘If you want to get involved in this campaign or find out more, get in touch with Medway Urban Greenspaces Forum or contact me directly – we can be chemical free by Christmas!’

Cllr Andy Stamp, Medway Labour and Co-operative Councillor for Gillingham North said, ‘Medway Council are currently only using herbicides to keep our street scene looking tidy, but not only is this having a negative impact on our environment, chemicals kill plant life indiscriminately resulting in unsightly dead vegetation.

‘We’re hoping to follow in the footsteps of our Croydon Labour colleagues who earlier this year ended the use of glyphosate in parks and green spaces.

‘We have until the next Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 5^th December to put forward a strong case for ending the use of herbicides in our greenspaces. We’re keen to hear your ideas on how we can improve Medway’s biodiversity, in our parks and all our public spaces, and even in our own back gardens.’

Find out more or get involved:

Medway Urban Greenspaces Forum: https://mugsforum.org/contact/

Cllr Simon Curry’s email: simon.curry@medway.gov.uk