A Devon MP's anti-weeds campaign has sparked dozens of reports of vegetation blighting Exeter's streets. It has also prompted a political opponent to tell the MP to put his money where his mouth is and get more weeding machines out on the streets and pavements.
Exeter's Labour MP Steve Race launched his own call to action in an effort to press Devon County Council (DCC) to sort out the city's growing weeds problem.
Launching a new website on which people can report overgrown weeds and track the county council's action, he said he hoped to force the county to change its ways. He said the current policy of Liberal Democrat and Green-run DCC was not to routinely clear weeds, only considering intervention if they risk damaging roads or paths.
Up until 2022 DCC funded Exeter City Council to carry out routine weed spraying, but this ended when the price of spraying rose sharply from £18,000 for three sprays a year to £18,000 per single spray. The price increase was blamed on contractor price inflation, Covid disruption and wider market pressures.
But Mr Race said he had been receiving regular complaints about the state of Exeter's streets, with constituents raising concerns about weeds blocking access, creating trip hazards and damaging infrastructure. Most of all, he said, people said it made them feel less proud of their city.
On the Exeter Weeds Watch website people can quickly report problematic weeds, specify whether they are dangerous or just a nuisance, and automatically email their report to the county council.
"It might seem like a trivial issue to some, but stepping out onto streets that feel neglected has a huge impact on how we all feel about where we live," he said.
"Some weeds aren't a problem and are good for biodiversity, but we all have common sense. Many of the weeds are a real nuisance and I want to see them managed properly by DCC."
Mr Race's comments drew a swift response from county councillor Tony Stevens (Reform, Exwick and St Thomas). He posted a picture on social media showing a mechanical weeder being given a trial on the streets in St Thomas by Devon Highways, saying it was impressive.
He went on: "Come on Steve Race, you say weeds are a problem even though we raised it over a year ago and your local councillors criticised us for doing so.
"Put your money where your mouth is, and if successful give us funding to get another one of these machines."
MP and Councillor Clash Over Exeter’s Weed Problem