THE row over weed killer being used at a beach side walk is still rumbling on.

Campaigners are demanding Southend Council stops the use of weed killer which they claim is linked to serious dog illness and being toxic.

Council bosses are now in talks to find a replacement to the weed killer, which is currently used in many roads and near East Beach Shoebury.

Dog owners and campaigners have now raised safety fears, with one paying £1,600 on vet bills.

Carl Hanser, 44, from Shoebury, who started the petition blasted the council for “environmental vandalism”.

Echo:

Concerns - East Beach in Shoebury

He said: “I am very pleased with the support for the petition and it’s been fantastic.

“The council has decided to poison parts of East Beach in Shoebury and took the financial and environment decision which is to the detriment of the area.

“It’s entirely unnecessary and shows a total neglect of the wildlife when we have a number of species unique to this area.”

He said if dogs ingest the weed killer it would have a big impact. He claimed other authorities have banned the substance after risk assessments and campaigners’ demands. Council bosses have previously said they are in talks to find a replacement to the weed killer, used in many roads and near East Beach Shoebury.

Sally Horrigan, from Shoebury, says it is linked to her two Cane Corso dogs becoming sick.

She said: “If they keep using it we will see more dogs becoming severely sick.

“I hope this gets taken further and we will not back down and keep pushing. My dog is doing better now and well on the mend but is still on medication.

“It’s also big issue is how people do not know it’s being done and it looks horrid and makes the grass yellow.”

“It’s appalling and so unnecessary and looks awful too, causing light yellow patches on the grass areas.

“Lots of other residents and I have spoke to the council but had no luck at all.”

Steve Moore, executive director for neighbourhoods and environment, said: “The council faces extremely tightly sanctioned regulations when using chemical products, including weedkiller. The product we use is licensed by DEFRA and the HSE to use in public open spaces and we use it in line with the manufactures instructions. The use of glyphosate products for weedkillers is common across local authorities up and down the country, and council staff and contractors who apply the product to our streets and parks and open spaces are highly skilled professionals that use the appropriate amount.

“Discussions and research is currently underway regarding other possible alternatives for removing weeds in the town, including how effective each alternative option is in treating weeds and how cost effective each option is.”