Cartoon by John Sadler: www.johnsadlerillustration.com

• IN her response to my concerns about Islington’s use of the weedkiller glyphosate, Cllr Claudia Webbe, executive member for environment and transport says she wants to keep the borough “looking its best” despite mounting evidence of health concerns, (We want to reduce the use of glyphosate in the borough, July 12).

A weed is simply a plant growing where we don’t want it, and bare earth will always be taken over by “weeds” some of which, such as rosebay willowherb, creeping buttercup or herb robert, are attractive and beneficial to birds, bees, butterflies and insects.

Many cities, such as Copenhagen, have eliminated herbicide use by encouraging their residents to see weeds as the wild plants that they are. Damaging plants, such as Japanese knotweed, can always be controlled by the injection of glyphosate rather than spraying.

Islington residents play a big part in keeping our borough “looking its best”. Spring bulbs and perennial plants bloom, and die back naturally and return year after year, bigger and better if left to their own devices, providing pollen for bees and butterflies, habitats for insects, and seedheads as food for birds.

These plants might include perennials, self-seeding plants, and spring bulbs. Much of this planting is done at no cost to our cash-strapped borough by residents, sometimes as “guerilla” gardeners but often with council approval.

I am one of those to whom Cllr Webbe says she is so grateful for encour­aging the weeding and planting of tree pits in my road, with the permission of the council officers and encouragement of my councillor.

However, as my recent experience confirms (Islington Town Hall faces calls to ban ‘cancer link’ weedkiller, July 5) this has not stopped its contractors continuing to spray glyphosate onto tree pits, or to strim, mow or chop down plants.

These incidents are always blamed on “rogue contractors” but Islington appears to have no joined-up, policy to prevent this and it will continue to happen as long as any plant on our streets is considered a weed that must be destroyed.

If Islington really wants to “look its best” it should encourage and protect the work of people who are trying to green their areas, and stop treating every wild plant as an eyesore that must be removed.

On July 4 the London Assembly unanimously adopted a motion calling on all boroughs to cease the use of glyphosate on council property as soon as possible.

Why not lead the way in showing a few wild plants are a sign of a borough that respects the health of its workers, residents, animals and wildlife, while actually reducing spending on harmful chemicals and the cost of training staff how to use them?

DOROTHY BOSWELL
Whitehall Park