ENVIRONMENTALLY harmful herbicides, pesticides and insecticides have been officially banned by Melksham Town Council.
The blanket ban follows the council’s decision to stop using controversial glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup, in 2018 after concerns were raised by residents and Melksham News about its use. The new environmental town council policy, bans the use of toxic and environmentally harmful herbicides, pesticides and insecticides, on all green spaces managed by the town council.
At the extraordinary meeting of the full town council earlier this month, councillors also agreed to ask its asset management committee to begin investigations into purchasing mechanical equipment so that it is able to take over streetscene maintenance from Wiltshire Council – a service that still uses the herbicide Roundup.
Streetscene maintenance – which includes the removal of weeds from roadside gutters – could become the responsibility of the town council as part of asset transfer negotiations with Wiltshire Council.
As reported in the Melksham News last year, Wiltshire Council currently sprays residential areas and roads with Roundup twice yearly across large parts of the county, including Melksham, Bowerhill and the surrounding villages.
