Weeds in the garden are a pain, but weeds in public places can be downright dangerous. It's important for councils to stay on top of their weeds - not only is it unsightly when weeds start sprouting up through the cracks in the pavement, it's also a potential trip hazard.
For an example of what can happen when wild plants are allowed to colonise public spaces, look no further than the city of Brighton and Hove. A year ago, local residents petitioned Brighton & Hove Council to "effectively manage the increasing issue of weeds growing from the pavements and walkways, causing damage to the pavements". The ePetition - which asserted that "the weeds are dangerous in places, causing trip hazards" - received more than 200 signatures, but unfortunately, the city's weed problem persists today.
Last month, The Guardian reported that some Brighton residents had found themselves "requiring hospital treatment after tripping up on overgrown pavements". Peter Atkinson, a local councillor, also penned an article in which he called pavement weeds "a trip hazard - and not just to elderly people. I know of a local child who had a really nasty fall after tripping over an enormous clump."
These stories illustrate the importance of weed control as a health and safety measure. Trips and falls cause countless injuries every year - many of them serious enough to require hospitalisation - and keeping pavements free from weeds is one good way to reduce the likelihood of such injuries.
SEE ALSO: How to Stop Weeds Growing Between Paving Slabs
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