The Labour Cabinet is set to agree a new approach to pesticides and herbicides management, marking a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to enhancing biodiversity.
Following extensive trials of new and existing pesticide and herbicide methods, the Labour Cabinet on Milton Keynes City Council is set to approve an ambitious new policy which will see cuts to its herbicide use.
Pests, diseases and undesirable plant species can cause issues if not treated, leading to damaged infrastructure, such as pavements and roads, accessibility issues and increased costs to the Council.
The new policy, when approved, will see the City Council advance with one of the most progressive strategies for biodiversity in the country.
Plans will include the use of mechanical sweeping on grid roads, redways and estates to reduce the use and need for herbicide deployment in the roads and pavements. It will also see the majority of herbicide deployment to be via Controlled Droplet Application delivered by individual trained staff.
Plans to not use herbicide during windy and heavy rain conditions to minimise risk of drift, and the use of hand weeding in shopping areas and central Milton Keynes are also included in the new management approach.
“This new approach is built on evidence from trials and pilots carried out across the city,” said Councillor Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, “We’ve tested innovative new methods, including a state‑of‑the‑art electric treatment machine powered by green energy generated at our Wolverton waste plant, showing that we can manage weeds more sustainably while still protecting local biodiversity.
“As new technology and greener methods continue to emerge, we will keep reviewing and adapting our methods. We hope that private landowners and our partners across the city will move in the same direction.”
Land ownership is mixed across the city, meaning new methods will apply to around 8% of the total land area.
Pictured: Cllr Stephen Brown and Cllr Shanika Mahendran planting trees
