Contractors were out today removing nettle growth from the side of the Foxwood Lane footpath.

The nettles had been a nuisance during the late summer period although not, this year, as bad as in some previous years.

Mechanical treatment – often by local farmers – is usually an efficient and economical way of controlling weeds and cutting back hedges.

Meanwhile a Freedom of Information request has revealed that this year weed control contractors have only been paid part of the £37,020.89 value of the contract. The response says that £18,498.70 has so far been paid during the current year.

The response does reveal the amounts paid to specialist weed control contractors over the last 9 years.

• 2019/20 – A. Morrison’s & Sons £37,020.89.
• 2018/19 – Munroe’s – £31,189
• 2017/18 – Munroe’s – £31,189
• 2016/17 – Munroe’s – £31,189
• 2015/16 – Munroe’s – £27,192
• 2014/15 – Dobsons – £68,538
• 2013/14 – Dobsons – £66,867
• 2012/13 – Nomix Enviro – £69,792
• 2011/12 – Nomix Enviro – £79,036

Interestingly the York Council, in the Spring, accepted a tender the value of which was only half that submitted in 2011.

It was later discovered that the list of streets to be treated was incomplete.

There have been chronic problems with weed control during the summer and, as we reported a few days ago, many streets still require attention.