Weed management – pilot scheme announced
Embsay with Eastby Parish Council has agreed to a 2-year pilot scheme with North Yorkshire Council beginning in March 2025, to manage the roadside weed growth, in specified areas, using mechanical and manual methods, as an alternative to the current glyphosate programme.
Published: 21 November 2024
Embsay with Eastby Parish Council has agreed to a 2-year pilot scheme with North Yorkshire Council beginning in March 2025, to manage the roadside weed growth, in specified areas, using mechanical and manual methods, as an alternative to the current glyphosate programme. Agreed area maps will be available to view at a later date.
The Parish will be completely removed from the glyphosate spraying programme for the duration of the trial. The purpose of the trial is to find an effective solution to maintaining the network without the use of chemicals.
North Yorkshire Council is envisaging that the trial will be more costly than current practices. However, it is confident that by removing the detritus there will be a reduction in weeds by the start of year 2, resulting in longer term financial benefits. There will be no expectation on the Parish Council to cover any additional costs.
The Parish Council will be asking residents to support this initiative by removing any roadside parked vehicles, when required, to allow for the works to be carried out. Specific dates will be advised and publicised.
| PROGRAMME ID | CURRENT WORKS | PROPOSED WORKS | YEAR 1 – 2025 | YEAR 2 – 2026 |
| Carriageway channels & kerbed edges | 1 Glyphosate treatment | Mechanical road sweeper 1 treatment (option for a 2nd if required) | March | March |
| Footways, rear & edges of grassed verges | 1 Glyphosate treatment | Manually cleared under urban grass cutting programme using a strimmer with assistance from street scene operative when required. | April – Sept | April – Sept |
| Standalone flagged & paved areas | 1 Glyphosate treatment | Manually cleared by a street scene operative. | April – May | April – May |