• Brighton’s ‘green utopia’ has become a weed-infested jungle
• Ban on herbicides in 2019 sparked debate and public outcry
• Residents blame the council for the weed problem and criticise the ‘Weed Warriors’ initiative
Brighton’s council banned herbicides in 2019, leading to the ‘rewilding’ of the city. This has caused many issues for residents, including pathways being blocked by tall weeds, and elderly and disabled people feeling scared to leave their homes. The council has blamed Brexit for the weed infestation, and controversially asked residents to work unpaid to weed pavements, kerbs and paths near their homes.
Residents have refused, and are now looking to the Labour-led council to come up with a plan. The council has invested in new measures to try and curb the problem, but some elderly people have been hospitalised due to falls caused by overgrown weeds. One resident’s 88-year-old father tripped on ivy and broke his knee, leaving him in a lot of pain and using crutches or a wheelchair.
The weed situation in Brighton has caused many issues for the residents, and the council must come up with a new plan for a solution.
Brighton’s ‘green utopia’ has transformed into more of a leafy jungle ever since the Green-led council decided to ban herbicides back in 2019. The Mail caught up with residents to gauge public opinion on the ‘rewilding’ of the coastal city. Here’s an excerpt:
Some of the them stand up to five feet tall and completely block pathways used by children to get to school.
The weeds stray across pathways and pavements, climb lamp posts and signs and leave the elderly and disabled fearful of leaving their homes without a car.
Brighton has become the perfect example of how quickly nature reclaims the street if weeds are left unchecked.
But the ‘rewilding’ of the seaside city has become a hot issue and almost everyone has opinion.
Visitors say the weed infestation is making the normally dapper Regency resort look very down-at-heel and councillors say their email in-boxes are full with angry complaints.
The cause of the weed problem is the banning – by the Green-led council in 2019 – of glyphosate and other herbicides in the city.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many of the weed killers on sale in Britain and it has been claimed is a potential cause of cancer.
The local authority has blamed a number of factors including Brexit for the infestation saying it has affected the recruiting staff and ordering equipment.
But Brighton & Hove City Council caused fury earlier this year when it asked residents to work unpaid to weed pavements, kerbs and paths near their homes.
The ‘Weed Warriors’ initiative was met with derision by many who felt the local authority had run out of ideas.
The council boasted: “We hope the scheme provides an opportunity for residents to gain new skills, be more active, get out and about in the city and find new places to explore. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet new people who are all as passionate as you about looking after our beautiful city.”
But Michael Elliott, 70, a retired accountant in Hove, said: “We pay nearly £3,000 Council Tax a year for services in this city. The bin collection is atrocious and now the council is asking us to weed our own roads. It’s just a joke!”
And Laura King said: “Are they joking? It’s absolute madness to expect residents to go out and start doing jobs the council is legally obliged to provide – especially when this is covered by the council tax.”
Cllr Anne Meadows, Conservative councillor for Westdene and Hove Park, said: “It’s not a joke. People are getting injured. I’ve seen young children on their scooters falling off and ending up in tears because of weeds on the pavements.
“Rewilding is all well and good but it should be limited to where it is appropriate such as nature trails and parks.”
She said the lack of action was also a danger to road users as many can’t see past large clumps of weeds when turning out of road junctions.
The Greens were ousted from office in the May election and residents are now looking at the Labour-led council to come up with a plan.
Anna Fox, 42, a nurse, said: “I understand the banning of dangerous herbicides but if you are going to take that step you have to have a plan on how to deal with the weeds that will flourish. It’s not good enough.”
The council has invested in new measures including mechanical sweepers, weed rippers and specialist strimmers in a bid to curb the problem but residents say there aren’t enough machines or workers.
In 2021-22 at least eight elderly people were hospitalised with injuries due to falls caused by overgrown weeds.
One resident, who prefers not to be named, said his 88 year-old father tripped on ivy growing across a pathway in Hove and broke his knee in June.
He said: “He’s always gone out for a walk and stayed very active and never had a fall so this was really unexpected. When he told me he tripped over ivy on the path I was furious. It’s totally unnecessary.
“My father was treated but he’s still suffering a lot of pain with it and is now using crutches or a wheelchair. He’s really lost his confidence. It could cost him his independence.”
