By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
A new strategy to increase the amount of greenery in Gloucester to tackle climate change is set to get the go-ahead by city councillors amid plans to phase out a controversial weedkiller.
The Gloucester Urban Greening Strategy will see the council explore ways of boosting the amount of greenery in the city to address the threat of global warming and extreme weather including flooding and dangerous heatwaves.
The strategy considered at next week’s cabinet meeting, will support efforts to harness the natural benefits of trees, green roofs, hedgerows, and green screens to help tackle climate change.
And City Council chiefs are also looking to phase out weedkiller glyphosate which is used in very small quantities across Gloucester.
Its use can still harm insect populations and biodiversity by removing plants essential for their survival.
Also, if eaten in large quantities, glyphosate may also have health impacts on small mammals and household pets.
The move will be kept under review and take feedback from residents into consideration. Councillors could also agree to stop spraying busy areas such as the city centre where weeds are usually kept to a minimum due to high footfall.
However, the weedkiller will still be used to manage obstructive growth or treat invasive and dangerous species such as Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed.
The urban greening plan includes identification of sites appropriate for new planting and finding new and innovative ways of increasing street tree canopy cover to reduce the local intensity and duration of heatwaves, and filter harmful emissions from vehicles.
It also includes proposals to explore the use of rainwater gardens in Gloucester to collect excess surface water and reduce pressure on sewers during periods of high rainfall.
The plan builds on the council’s Climate Change Strategy, which supports the council’s efforts to reach net zero emissions across its own functions by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the district by 2045.
It also follows on from the work done to increase green space including planting 153 acres of meadows and naturalised spaces across the city and neighbouring districts.
Conservative group leader Stephanie Chambers (C, Quedgeley Fieldcourt) said they were pleased the Lib Dems are continuing the important work they started to tackle climate change and make the city a greener, more vibrant city.
“Projects like the green wall at the Forum car park highlight the kind of forward-thinking ideas the Conservative Group has brought to Gloucester.
“We’ve also taken real action on issues that matter to residents—especially concerns about overgrown weeds and the council’s heavy reliance on glyphosate, a chemical that can be harmful to people, wildlife, and our local watercourses.
“That’s why, under Conservative leadership, the council introduced the city’s first manual weed removal machine. And thanks to a Conservative budget amendment this year, a second machine was added.
“These are practical, environmentally friendly solutions that work in all weather conditions—unlike chemical treatments, which are ineffective in wet weather and leave parts of our city looking like an overgrown wasteland.
“The Conservative Group will continue to remind the Liberal Administration that strategies like this can’t just be about good headlines. They need to lead to real, visible change.
“We’ll be keeping a close eye on how these plans are delivered.”
Labour Group Leader Terry Pullen (L, Moreland) said the strategy is ambitious but one which is long over due. He said if the City Council is serious about addressing climate change they must urgently deliver on urban greening.
“The strategy sets out visionary initiatives such as rainwater gardens, community gardens, micro parks and mini woodlands, all of which we support in principle,” he said.
“However, the current administration are very good at coming up with strategies- what we want to see is action.”
“We will be pushing them for plans, defined outcomes and practical solutions, and of course appropriate budgets and resources to fund them. The council has been slow to take action on climate change so far, let’s hope the Urban Greening Strategy will change that.”
Community Independent group leader Alastair Chambers (CI, Matson, Robinswood and White City) criticised the continued use of the “cancer-linked” weed killer across the city despite calls from his group to ban it.
“This chemical, glyphosate, has been banned or heavily restricted in over 30 countries, including France, Germany and Austria,” he said.
“Yet here in Gloucester, the administration persists in spraying it on our streets and green spaces, ignoring mounting scientific concerns and international precedent.
“Sebastian Field, who claims to champion environmental causes, appears more preoccupied with trivial matters than with protecting residents, wildlife, and biodiversity from harmful chemicals.”
Environment cabinet member Sebastian Field (LD, Podsmead) said he knows people are increasingly concerned about the use of glyphosate and they are committed to do everything they can to phase it out. “By reducing its use alongside our plans to increase the amount of greenspace in our city we will do our bit to try to reduce the alarming decline in insect populations,” he said.
Cllr Field also said he is proud the council is leading the way in planning for the future and making the city greener. “Extreme weather events including flooding and heatwaves, which are unfortunately getting more common, pose a huge risk to residents.
“Urban greening not only helps reduce the impact of extreme weather but it also improves quality of life for people in terms of mental health, reduced pollution, and even crime reduction and improved community safety.”
If given the green light, the Gloucester Urban Greening Strategy will commit the council to a number of actions over the next year including:
Development of a street tree plan for Gloucester with a strong focus on areas with highest levels of deprivation and fewest trees.
City-wide plan of areas that can be used for rainwater and community gardens, micro-parks, and mini woodlands to help combat flooding.
Work with residents on how to use their own gardens and property to reduce flooding, improve biodiversity, and reduce the impacts of drought.
Help residents to plant more trees to mitigate against extreme heat events.