| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:H&F get it right - why can't Hounslow folllow | |
| Posted by: | Kathleen Healy | |
| Date/Time: | 10/09/23 10:48:00 |
| Guy, when LBH changed the contract with Hounslow Highways was there a consequence? An increased cost or reduction in service level. If there was, what was the contract change in terms of Hounslow Highways fee or obligations? My interest in the LBH ban is from seeking to improve the bio diversity of Dukes Meadows. Over 20 years Dukes Meadows Trust has planted hundreds of trees thousands of hedge plants and created meadow areas. Summers are getting hotter and dryer and the ground at Dukes Meaows is sandy soil over gravel, very free draining. On Friday after volunteers cut the hedge the Trust planted along Riverside Drive, as we do every year, we watered most of the trees in the avenue of 30 Lime trees we planted in two halves, 4 and 5 years ago. The leaves were yellowing and they were clearly very thirsty. They would probably have survived and just gone into an early autumn, but having planted and looked after them for 5 years, we didnt want to take the risk. It took around two hours to set up the hose water and pack away. A few weeks ago GS cut the long grass that we encourged them to leave on half the field. Unfortunately, a couple of the trees in a copse we planted 10 years ago were strimmed, one quite badly. Removing the grass from around trees greatly increases the water the tree has access to. Grass creates a dense mat of roots that catch rainfall after Spring. Spraying to remove the grass protects the trees from being accidentaly strimmed, ring barked and killed. Anticipating a suggestion, mulching only works if you remove the roots of perennials such as grass first. Anticipating another suggestion, Yellow Rattle is an annual it can't set seed on thick grass and is ineffective against couch grass. It's not a silver bullet against all grass. The long grass area was succesful, but large patches of Foxtail came up. It causes infections and can cause death in dogs, so if not dealt with, I imagine there will be a big push back against leaving long grass areas from concerned dog owners. It's a shame because the free draining soil that makes the ground dry is perfect for meadows. We are all eating Glyophsate because it is extensively used in agriculture, but we can't use it to spray around trees to help them survive and thrive or to manage a grass that is known to be a significant risk to dogs. Athoritative sources like the EU, in its latest assemment and the HSE say Glyphosate is safe. Instead of relying on these sources you cite a website that has inaccurate, out of date information. From a member of the public, that would be regerattable, but you are an LBH cabinet member making decsions about how millions of pounds of public money is spent. |