News OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from John Hague, Sandown shares this Open Letter to Island Roads. Ed
My wife and I were in Shanklin Town Centre in the morning of 4th July and were, quite frankly, appalled at the standard of working of the two operatives carrying out a weed killer spray operation.
On two four-wheeled motorised buggies they were racing around near the bus station, both on the pavement and in the gutter, paying scant regard to health and safety.
If I were to drive a car on the pavement extensively and in such a manner then I would soon find myself in court as I believe there would be some illegality.
Unlikely all weeds were sprayed
The spray was being waved around in all directions and the speed of movement was such that it is unlikely that all the weeds caught any spray and certainly those around the bus shelters were missed.
At one stage one buggy forced its way between a bus at the bus stop and the adjacent bus shelter in a completely dangerous and unnecessary manoeuvre as it was too tight to spray at the same time and the side of the bus/shelter were in danger of damage.
Should be done in a safe manner
Chemical weed spraying I believe to be the best answer for dealing with gutter and pavement growths, but it should be done in a safe manner and such that the weeds are coated and nothing else.
I would also point out that driving a motor vehicle one handed and operating equipment at the same time and at speed and on a pavement cannot possibly conform to traffic regulations and the Highway Code.
Again, most weeds were missed
On returning to the road I live in, a similar operative was carrying out similar operations and the speed was such that most weeds were missed.
Please assure me that this operation will be improved and the safety of the public protected.
Image: © Image from 2019 in Ventnor by Adrian Wheeler used for illustrative purposes
