Cumberland Council have insisted that they are taking action on weed killing in Carlisle after coming under fire from a local council.

At a full council meeting at Carlisle Civic Centre, Cllr Denise Rollo, the portfolio holder for sustainable, resilient and connected places, defended the council’s action on weeds and insisted that they ‘haven’t failed’ to kill the weeds.

Favourable weather conditions have contributed to extensive plant growth, including weeds, and combined with a delayed start to weed spraying, it has created a ‘perfect storm’ according to Cllr Rollo.

The independent councillor for Botcherby, Robert Betton, said that weeds were ‘widespread’ across Botcherby, adding that “Years of dense detritus have never been removed properly by City and County Council and now more so by Cumberland Council.

“It’s a bad impression on our city to our residents, tourists and visitors when other Councils are actually on top of, and managing, this properly.

Responding to Cllr Betton, Cllr Rollo said: “Our frontline teams are working hard carrying out regular street cleansing, highways and green space maintenance and, in August, undertook an additional street cleaning in Botcherby,” before urging Cllr Betton to report any patches of weeds through the council reporting system.

In a supplementary question, Cllr Betton disagreed with Cllr Rollo. “These weeds are blocking gutters, ripping up our infrastructure and have been reported – It’s disgusting,” said Cllr Betton, in a somewhat tetchy exchange in the council chamber.

The issue of weeds was also brought up by the Green party, councillor for Belah, Dr Helen Davidson.

“By the middle of August, more than a month since the first spray had reportedly happened, in estates across my ward and across other areas of Carlisle there was still zero visible evidence of any weedkilling having taken place on the pavements to the extent that questions have been raised as to whether the contractors even came out to spray the weeds,” said Cllr Davidson in a pre-released statement whilst also raising concerns about the health and environmental impact of glyphosate, the weedkiller being used.

READ MORE: Coroners court set to move after current site called 'unsuitable'

In response, Cllr Rollo said: “There was a spray in the initial spray of weeds this year which was an issue that we, as a council, inherited and proactive steps have been taken to address the issue.

“The mild, wet weather we have had recently has supported weed growth and created the perfect storm.

“It has been a challenge nationwide but looking ahead, a further spray in Carlisle has been undertaken and teams have been working to remove weed detritus and this will continue.”