Latest

Glyphosate

Glyphosate is used by highways PFI contractor, Island Roads, to manage weeds across the Island’s footways.

Use of the controversial weed killer was paused in 2020/2021, and manual labour used instead. Following a rise in the number of complaints about the rapid increase of weeds, Island Roads returned to using Glyphosate in 2022.

Some parts of Ventnor are exempt from the use of Glyphosate in order to protect colonies of Wall Lizards.

Below are articles relating to the use of Glyphosate on the Isle of Wight.

A wall lizard in Ventnor poking its head out from fleabane flowers

30, May 2024·4 min read

Island Roads fail to commit to changing glyphosate-based spraying in Ventnor, despite new data

The battle continues for Ventnor's wall lizards against glyphosate-based spray. Solutions-based journalism spark a 'consideration', but is it enough?

27, June 2023·5 min read

Save Ventnor’s Wall Lizards: Become a citizen scientist to prevent Glyphosate harm (update 2)

Ventnor residents are urged to help update Island Roads' outdated map, safeguarding Wall Lizards from harmful Glyphosate sprays

26, May 2023·1 min read

Watch: Ventnor Wall Lizards like you’ve never seen them before

Paul Knights captures the enchanting antics of Ventnor Wall Lizards in his latest short film

Bee on yellow flower with sun in the background

21, July 2022·1 min read

March of the Bees: New start time for peaceful protest march against use of Glyphosate

The start time has changed for this peaceful protest march, so if you were planning to attend take note of the new time

14, July 2022·1 min read

March of the Bees: Join peaceful march protesting about the use of Glyphosate on the Isle of Wight (updated)

The event is aimed at raising awareness, collecting more signatures and calling on Island Roads to reverse their decision to use Glyphosate weed killer on the Island

22, June 2022·2 min read

‘Safer alternative’ to Glyphosate approved by Ventnor Town Council, but at a cost

Although councillors approved use of a new ‘safer alternative’, question marks were raised about its use in Ventnor Park, which would see an increase in costs of £5,000

20, April 2022·8 min read

FOI response claims Glyphosate is not written into the PFI Contract – News OnTheWight discovers it is (updated)

After much digging around, News OnTheWight has found proof that Glyphosate is embedded in the PFI Contract, contradicting the council’s official FOI response

Person on quad bike spraying glyphosate-based weedkiller

15, April 2022·1 min read

Letter: Weedkiller sprayed from quad bikes ‘reckless and dangerous, but great fun for the drivers’

This reader tells News OnTheWight that she had to jump out of the way of operatives on quad bikes spraying weedkiller, which left a taste on her tongue and lungs for about an hour

12, April 2022·3 min read

Ventnor Town Council ban use of glyphosates on their land: Here’s why

Although the Ventnor Town Council has voted to ban the use of glyphosates on their land, they said they needed to know the costs of alternatives and that a way forward would be decided at its next meeting

11, March 2022·3 min read

Banning the use of Glyphosate weed killer is not a binary issue, say Cabinet member

When you understand the full picture, it's not quite as simple as just demanding the Council ban the use of Glyphosate, but there is hope for the Ventnor Wall Lizards

10, March 2022·2 min read

Town Councillor calls on colleagues to support blanket ban on use of Glyphosate

The petition calling for a ban on glyphosate weed killer on the Isle of Wight has reached almost 4,000 signatures. The councillor who started it is now calling for even more action

Ventnor wall lizard popping out of undergrowth

24, February 2022·3 min read

Use of glyphosate a PFI ‘contractual issue’ says Cabinet member seeking an alternative at the highest level

Cllr Jordan said the subject was being discussed at the most senior level with Island Roads in order to find a sympathetic and sustainable alternative to the use of glyphosate weedkiller

Free daily newsletter