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Roadside Weed Control In Minehead
Response to Recent Dog Illness Reports in Minehead Parks - 16th May 2025
Following recent reports of illness affecting local dogs, we wish to address community concerns and clarify our maintenance practices to provide reassurance about the safety of our green spaces.
We can confirm that no herbicides have been applied in The Parks or any of our other open green spaces. Since taking responsibility for several green spaces in Minehead on May 1st this year, including The Parks, our policy has been to strictly limit any herbicide applications to streets and hard surfaces only.
This year marks our first reintroduction of controlled herbicide applications for street weed management in approximately five years. We are working with an experienced contractor who uses specialised Weed IT Technology, which employs chlorophyll fluorescence technology and adjuvants to ensure precise, targeted application while minimizing overspray. The glyphosate used is highly diluted, typically containing only 2% glyphosate to 98% water with comprehensive risk assessments and COSHH assessment documentation maintained at all times.
While we understand public concerns about glyphosate, particularly regarding potential health risks from long-term exposure in agricultural settings, our targeted application methods and significantly diluted concentrations ensure there is no risk from short-term exposure, including in cases of accidental ingestion.
Our commitment to biodiversity-friendly practices means herbicide applications remain limited to paved areas and do not extend to parks or open spaces. To our knowledge, Somerset Council maintained a similar approach before these areas were transferred to our care.
We acknowledge that this information may not identify the specific cause of the reported dog illnesses and we do not wish to dismiss the understandable distress this situation has caused pet owners. Over the years, various incidents in our open spaces have had multiple potential causes, ranging from toxic plants and chemical spills to contaminated water sources and, regrettably, occasional malicious activities.
To address current concerns, we will be sending our amenities team to conduct thorough inspections of The Parks and other green spaces for any obvious potential hazards. Should we identify anything of concern, we will arrange for its immediate removal.
We are currently developing a comprehensive herbicide use policy that will clearly define application rates, permitted locations and maximum concentration levels, further demonstrating our responsible approach to these materials and the seriousness with which we regard public concerns about their use.
We remain fully committed to maintaining safe and enjoyable spaces for our community and take all concerns regarding the welfare of residents and their beloved pets with the utmost seriousness. We encourage anyone with concerns or relevant information to contact us directly.
Street Maintenance Progress Update: Tackling Weeds Across Minehead - 31st January 2025
Minehead Town Council continues to make good progress in the first phase of our street weed control strategy, with focused efforts on manual weed and debris removal throughout the town. Our hard-working amenities team has achieved some really impactful results, particularly in addressing long-standing problem areas and high-footfall locations.
Our newly developed strategy combines manual removal techniques with precise, targeted chemical treatments where needed. While we previously explored chemical-free alternatives over recent seasons, we've now implemented refined application methods that enable minimal, strategic use of chemical treatments – balancing effectiveness with environmental stewardship.
We're proud of the progress our in-house amenities team has made over recent weeks and remain committed to enhancing the accessibility and appearance of Minehead's streets. As we move forward, we welcome community participation in these efforts. Residents interested in helping maintain their street's appearance may be eligible for council support in waste removal of manually removed street weeds, subject to prior arrangement. If you would like to find out more, please email us at ku.vog.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni.
Your feedback helps shape our approach as we work to deliver practical results while maintaining environmental and fiscal responsibility. To share your thoughts please contact us using the below contact form.
Please see the map below for progress so far:
Town Council Launches Comprehensive Weed Control Strategy - 20th January 2025
In December, Town Councillors approved a new weed control strategy in response to concerns raised by residents and visitors about excessive street weed growth. These issues arose while the Council were trialling alternative methods to reduce reliance on glyphosate, a widely used and extensively researched active ingredient in weed killers.
The newly approved strategy takes a balanced approach, considering environmental, financial, and practical factors to provide an effective solution for street weed management. A key component of this plan is a significant effort by the Council’s in-house amenities team, who are currently working throughout the town to manually remove large, historic weeds and built-up detritus. This groundwork is essential to prepare for the controlled reintroduction of weed killer in the spring, applied by a qualified and experienced contractor using advanced techniques.
The amenities team has already hit the ground running, tackling some of the worst-affected areas. Their focus is on removing larger weeds and significant build-up, with an aim to make the greatest impact in the shortest time. While not every street or smaller weed will be addressed during this phase, the team is working diligently to ensure that priority areas are improved.
After thorough trials of alternative weed control methods, the Council found that these options were either too costly, time-consuming, or ineffective. The decision to reintroduce glyphosate was not taken lightly. Glyphosate remains one of the most extensively researched chemicals globally, with no conclusive evidence proving its alleged carcinogenic properties. The Council’s use of a certified contractor ensures the application is precise, controlled, and employs the latest technological advancements to minimise any perceived risks.
We are confident this approach strikes the right balance, maintaining the town’s streets while considering environmental and financial concerns. We are committed to continuing to explore advancements in sustainable weed control methods.
The Council welcomes feedback from the community on the weed control strategy and encourages residents to share their views as we work together to keep our town clean, safe, and welcoming. To provide feedback or learn more details, please contact us on 01643 707213 or ku.oc.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni
Minehead Town Council Announces New Weed Control Strategy - 23rd December 2024
Minehead Town Council is pleased to announce the approval of its new weed control strategy, endorsed at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday, 17th December. This thoughtfully developed plan prioritises effective weed management while addressing any community, environmental, and health concerns.
Background
For over a decade, MTC has managed street weed control. Since discontinuing the use of glyphosate in 2020 due to environmental concerns, alternative methods were trialled but proved costly, labour-intensive, and less effective. Following extensive research, application method developments and public feedback, MTC will reintroduce glyphosate for targeted street weed control from March 2025, guided by detailed usage policies and advanced application methods.
What to Expect
The new strategy includes the following key measures:
● Developing a Weed Control Policy: MTC will establish a detailed policy outlining how and where glyphosate will be used. This ensures transparency and accountability, limiting its application to hard surfaces only. It will not be used in open spaces, service lanes, unadopted highways, or managed housing estates.● Engaging Professional Contractors: A qualified contractor will use advanced equipment, including the WEED-IT system and low-drift nozzles, to ensure precision application and minimise any environmental impact. This approach targets only hard surfaces like pavements and roads, avoiding off-target areas.● Manual Winter Clearance: MTC staff will conduct manual weed and debris removal in high-priority areas during the winter months.● Rewilding and Biodiversity Initiatives: The council will enhance its rewilding programmes, introducing wildflowers and supporting biodiversity to offset any potential environmental effects.● Proactive Engagement with Residents and Businesses: As part of its proactive approach, MTC will issue notices to residents and businesses with overgrown vegetation, requesting removal to prevent weed-enabling detritus from building up on streets.
Environmentally Conscious Practices
The council’s decision reflects a commitment to sustainability and public safety. Glyphosate applications will be limited to hard surfaces on main streets, excluding its use in open spaces, service lanes, unadopted highways, and managed housing estates. Contractors will employ the latest technology to ensure the safest, targeted, and efficient herbicide use, significantly reducing the quantity required.
Ongoing Monitoring and Engagement
MTC is committed to transparency and public involvement. Residents will be kept informed through regular updates, and feedback channels will be made available. The programme will be continually reviewed through public satisfaction feedback, environmental impact assessments, and financial evaluations, with an annual report ensuring continuous improvement.
Looking Forward
This new strategy underscores MTC’s commitment to preserving Minehead’s beauty and appeal while adhering to environmental and public health standards. By balancing effective weed management with sustainability and proactive community engagement, the council aims to deliver the best results for residents, visitors, and the local ecosystem. Please visit this page regularly for the latest updates and information.
References Weed IT Technology Fact Sheet
Minehead Town Council Reviews Weed Control Strategy Following Trial Period - 24th October 2024
Minehead Town Council has concluded its six-month trial of the Foam Stream weed control system, with councillors voting by majority at Tuesday's Full Council meeting (22nd October) not to proceed with purchasing the equipment and to continue to explore other solutions for the town's weed management strategy.
The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation period during which the Council carefully assessed the system's performance, operational requirements, and cost-effectiveness. While Foam Stream demonstrated some success in weed control and initially appeared to align with the Council's environmental objectives, the trial revealed challenges specific to Minehead's local conditions and staff resources.
It was noted that while Foam Stream currently represents one of the leading market alternatives for weed control methods, the specific requirements of Minehead's landscape and resources available presented unique operational challenges. The trial provided valuable insights into the complexities of alternative weed management, with staff testing various approaches including combined manual and mechanical methods to maximise effectiveness.
During the Council's detailed discussions, members considered operational effectiveness and resource requirements, cost implications and value for money, environmental impact and sustainability, as well as staff feedback. The decision was made by majority, with council taking into account both sides of the debate.
"Although the ultimate outcome has proved disappointing, this trial has provided us with valuable insights into alternative weed control methods," said Town Clerk, Ben Parker. "While Foam Stream wasn't ultimately the right fit for Minehead at this time, the knowledge gained will be instrumental in developing our future strategy."
The Council will use the winter months to conduct a thorough review of available options, focusing on developing a sustainable, cost-effective approach to weed control that maintains Minehead's high standards of appearance while continuing to consider environmental impact.
The Council anticipates presenting new proposals for weed control strategies in the following months.