Weeds take root in Brighton after council bans herbicides

Report by ITV News Meridian's Charlotte Wilkins

They are every gardener’s nemesis, but while most people do not mind seeing a few weeds in their own back lawns, streets and pavements in Brighton and Hove are now covered in them.

Some residents say the problem is getting out of hand. 

Brighton and Hove City Council banned the use of potentially harmful herbicides or weed killer and after a warm wet summer the weeds have taken root. 

The city’s Green council claims staff shortages due to Covid has added to the problem. 

While some weeds have really taken over, other areas are slightly more manageable and some residents are taking it upon themselves to tackle the problem.

A lot has been done to encourage biodiversity across the city like the creation of butterfly banks and an orchard in Surrenden field.

The council says it would be counterproductive to bring back pesticides when they are trying to encourage biodiversity on the one hand to only destroy it with the other.