March 2021

Proposal to Stop Spraying Poison in Johnstown

We all know that weedkiller is a poison that harms everything it touches, and yet we still see evidence of its use in public places. Johnstown Tidy Towns has trialed a practical alternative process that could stop this practice and produce a better looking environment without using poison.

A few examples, from the many areas within Johnstown, where weedkiller is sprayed by Council Contractors.

Throughout the summer we see evidence of weedkiller use producing scorched grass and exposed earth which, ironically, is perfect for new weeds to take hold.

Contradiction

When Council contractors apply weedkiller throughout our neighbourhood it contradicts the Council's intentions for safeguarding our environment and biodiversity. The visiting judges from the Tidy Towns competition heavily criticise its excessive use in Johnstown. Therefore, as part of the Council's Green Km Initiative, Johnstown Tidy Town's (JTT) recently submitted an offer to Meath County Council which would see their group take on the maintenance using a more environmentally friendly and sustainable 'poison free' alternative.

Could Weed Spraying like this STOP in Johnstown ?

The JTT is requesting that the Council stop their contractors from spraying weedkiller in Johnstown. In exchange, the JTT volunteers offer to edge the 6km length of grass verge of Bothar Sion, the School approach road, and Metges Road.

By removing the excess grass growth there will be no requirement to temporarily kill it off with poison spray. The JTT proposes composting the cut turf and using the recovered soil in community planting projects the following year.

The map indicates the areas of the JTT's Green KM.

Proof of Process

The JTT tested out their process by cutting a test are of kerb and pavement edges in the Bailis Downs Estate, 2020. The mechanical edger reduces the labour required and can cut considerably faster than traditional methods. Edging the footpaths over the green recovered in one section an extra half metre of valuable pavement space. The entire 500m length of the testing area also produced 6 wheelbarrow loads of turf for composting and the edges will not need to be recut for a few years or more. A strimmer will now allow the Estate to keep the edges trim themselves.

The JTT is also offering to include the maintainence of the grass edges around the bus stops, lamp posts, road signs, estate signs, fence lines, and trees without using chemicals. By edging these public routes every 2 or 3 years it would allow the group to assist neighbouring Estates to manage their verges in the same way.

If approved by the Council they intend to apply for the Community Grant to support this initiative. They propose to use shrubs to further enhance the routes and prevent future need for weed spraying around bus stops.

Although they do not intend to undertake any grass mowing to verges they have requested that the Council contractor reduces its cutting frequency to allow the grass to grow slightly longer and become more beneficial to pollinators and wildlife.

UPDATE

In April the Council approved the proposal.

The Community Grant received is not enough to create bus stop planting this year but they will hopefully work up to this with future funding.