Tuesday May 19th 2026
Weeds
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A pilot project is to be launched in the Borders to consider the impacts of a weedkiller which poses “a risk” to the staff who apply it.
The local authority uses glyphosate-based weedkiller to maintain public spaces and manage street plant growth.
But there are concerns about its health risks and there has been pressure from local campaigners to ban it.
The council has continued to use the chemical, though they have been in the process of reviewing alternatives and looking to trial herbicide-free solutions.
Now a pilot is to be introduced at two sites at Galashiels in the growing season up to October.
The impacts are to be evaluated at chemical-free managed site in Melrose Road and chemically-managed site in Abbotsfiord Road.
Chemically managed comparator sites will continue to be treated by a specialist contractor as part of the established annual programme, using glyphosate-based products.
Sites designated as chemical‑free will instead be managed using alternative control methods, including hand removal and mechanical strimming.
This pilot will enable a full comparison of chemical versus non-chemical, in balancing operational need with our environmental responsibilities.
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