Weed control is a necessary part of Highways maintenance. If left unchecked, weeds will damage the road infrastructure, causing defects and potholes.

With 5,500 miles of road and escalating social care and SEND costs impacting funds, Hampshire Highways have to choose the most economical method of weed control.

Under pressure from us, three years ago the Highways team extensively trialled alternative methods including hot foam, burning and mechanical removal. Unfortunately, they were more expensive and less effective.

That is why HH currently use glyphosate. It is sold in the UK with the RoundUp brand name and is widely available.

It is legal to use Roundup on UK roads and other public spaces, and the majority of UK councils use it.

Now that Petersfield is officially the best place to live in the South East, we are all taking even more pride in our town. Getting weeds under control and keeping them supressed will mean that our town always looks its best, for residents and visitors alike.

But here’s an interesting twist – we have secured an important commitment from HH. If Petersfield can develop an effective community-led weed control programme for the town over the next 12 months, HH will not undertake any glyphosate application in 2026.

This means Petersfield can become the first glyphosate-free town in Hampshire!

Russell Oppenheimer, Hampshire county councillor for Petersfield Hangers and cabinet member for countryside and regulatory services
Russell Oppenheimer, Hampshire county councillor for Petersfield Hangers, and his Butser counterpart, Cllr Rob Mocatta, have urged residents to get weeding. (Russell Oppenheimer)

We believe this is achievable. It will take a rolling programme and a collective effort by residents, voluntary groups (like PeCAN and the Petersfield Society), as well as local government bodies including PTC, EHDC and SDNPA. We are grateful to the Petersfield Post and Shine Radio for supporting our campaign.

Why is glyphosate so concerning to us? The World Health Organisation thinks it is “probably carcinogenic” and it’s restricted in Germany.

Some studies have raised concerns about its effects on pollinators like bees. There is concern about applying glyphosate in public spaces, even when applied via the controlled droplet method which eliminates spray.

In Petersfield, we are rightly proud of our National Park status and our green spaces. Protecting our biodiversity is important to all of us.

If we can succeed in getting glyphosate out of Petersfield, this will set an important precedent. We can improve health and wellbeing for everyone in the community whilst improving the environment.

Mocatta and Boxall
Councillor Rob Mocatta with Alton’s Ginny Boxall. (EHDC)

What can you do to help? Please take a trowel or hoe to any weeds that come up on your street. Catch them early if you can!

Boiling salted water, vinegar, wire brushes, brooms and burning are all effective to tackle the roots. If there are hardy weeds which you cannot destroy yourself, please get in touch with us or Petersfield Town Council and we will arrange a visit to assist.

We will need a team of inspectors in the New Year to help us spot problem areas; if you would like to volunteer to be an inspector please contact us and we will arrange this.

By working together, we can transform Petersfield into a town which manages its roads without chemicals.

ROBERT MOCATTA & RUSSELL OPPENHEIMER

County Councillors for Petersfield Butser and Petersfield Hangers