To spray or not to spray? NELC open to ending use of poisonous chemical in parks and other open spaces

Nowhere for wildlife - the base of trees could provide precious habitat but it has been destroyed in favour of sterility in many parts of the borough including Taylors Avenue (above).

SOME 18 months after Cleethorpes resident Katie Teakle launched a well-supported campaign to halt  the use of poisonous chemical sprays in North East Lincolnshire, the council is ready to respond. 

The authority has this week announced that it is asking residents to nominate parts of their wards to take part in  '‘green space trials'.

Says a spokesperson: "Sites could include roads, streets and areas of open spaces where various options can be considered including complete cessation of spraying."

The poison favoured by NELC is Glyphosate, more commonly known as RoundUp. 

The trouble is that, in killing plants, the chemical also destroys precious feeding habitat for songbirds, especially finches, and beneficial pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies

Launching a petition in summer last year, Ms Teakle said:  "Glyphosate is absorbed into the soil and is harmful to worms and insects.

"It also leaches into our waterways, entering drinking water aquifers  where it is  toxic to a whole spectrum of aquatic species."

She  says that Glyphosate has been identified as a ‘probable carcinogen’ by the World Health Organisation, particularly affecting workers who use it regularly. 

She continues: "Exposure to small amounts is also hazardous to children playing in treated playgrounds, pregnant women and the elderly.

"The chemical has been shown to worsen chronic conditions such as asthma."

Alternatives to poisonous sprays include  preventative mulching,  hand-weeding, hoeing,  mechanical brushes and hot foam devices.

Anyone who would like to nominate potential spray-free zones is urged to contact one or more councillors whose contact details can be found on NELC's website.

They are: 

Croft Baker

• Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK)
• Cllr Malcolm Morland (Labour)
• Cllr Marian Jervis (Labour)

East Marsh

• Cllr Stephen Beasant (Liberal Democrats)
• Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe (Liberal Democrats)
• Cllr Loyd Emmerson (Liberal Democrats)

Freshney

• Cllr Steve Holland (Independent)
• Cllr Lyndsey Downes (Independent)
• Cllr Paul Bright (Independent)

Haverstoe

• Cllr Bill Parkinson (Conservative)
• Cllr Margaret Cracknell (Conservative)
• Cllr Keith C Brookes (Conservative)

Heneage

• Cllr Matthew Patrick (Labour)
• Cllr Kevin Shutt (Labour)
• Cllr Emma Clough (Labour)

Humberston and New Waltham

• Cllr Stan Shreeve (Conservative)
• Cllr Stephen Harness (Conservative)
• Cllr Hayden Dawkins (Conservative)

Immingham

• Cllr Stewart Swinburn (Conservative)
• Cllr Karen Swinburn (Conservative)
• Cllr Trevor Crofts (Conservative)

Park

• Cllr Paul Silvester (Conservative)
• Cllr Marian Boyd (Conservative)
• Cllr Robson Augusta (Labour)

Scartho

• Cllr Ian Lindley (Conservative)
• Cllr Ronald Shepherd (Conservative)
• Cllr Dan Humphrey (Labour)

Sidney Sussex

• Cllr Sophia Farren (Labour)
• Cllr Janet Haggis (Labour)
• Cllr Edward Kaczmarek (Labour)

South

• Cllr Janet Goodwin (Labour)
• Cllr Tim Mickleburgh (Labour)
• Cllr Sheldon Mill (Labour)

Waltham

• Cllr Philip Jackson (Conservative)
• Cllr Nick Pettigrew (Conservative)

West Marsh

• Cllr Karl Wilson (Labour)
• Cllr Kathryn Wheatley (Labour)

Wolds

• Cllr Henry Hudson (Conservative)
• Cllr David Hasthorpe (Conservative)

Yarborough

• Cllr James Cairns (Conservative)
• Cllr Paul Henderson (Independent)
• Cllr Les Bonner (Independent)

                                  

Wildflowers such as these that once graced Weelsby Road In Grimsby  have now been lost to many parts of North East Lincolnshire as a result of the council's widespread application of 'weed'-killing poison

The Grimsby News says: Wildlife needs all the help it can get, so we support restrictions on the application of poison, particularly in parks and open spaces. But residents are busy and it is doubtful whether many will take the time and  trouble to lobby their councillors, especially over the festive period. If NELC is serious about its 'green agenda' it should take the lead by committing to a complete phase-out of  the use opf Glyphosate, starting at  all existing parks and green spaces within the borough