CONCERNS have been raised over the state of parts of Carlisle which it has been claimed is 'like a jungle' due to overgrown weeds.

The issue was raised at Tuesday’s (July 25) meeting of Cumberland Council at the Civic Centre in the city.

During the time set aside for portfolio holder reports, councillor Brian Wernham (Stanwix Urban, Liberal Democrats) highlighted the problem and claimed they were making pavements 'unsafe'.

In response councillor Denise Rollo (Harrington, Labour), the portfolio holder for sustainable, resilient and connected places, confirmed that 'the weed killing programme had begun'.

She added that if Cllr Wernham, or anyone else, noticed unsafe pavements then they should report them.

Councillor Trevor Allison (Dalston and Burgh, Conservative) said that the overgrown weeds made parts of the city look 'like a jungle' and asked: “Do we have a programme for weed control?”

Speaking separately, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Carlisle, Julie Minns, has also raised concerns about the number of weeds that have sprouted up across the city with Cumberland Council.

She said she spends several hours a week going door-to-door speaking with residents and contacted the council after it became clear weeds were a problem right across the city.

In response the council said that “weeds across Carlisle should now have been sprayed” but that it could take approximately two weeks for them to die off.

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A spokesman said: “The type of chemical we use requires the weeds to grow first before being treated, this is used as it is safer for animals and small children.”

She said she was delighted by the response and she had spoken to residents in Harraby, Belle Vue and Upperby.

Ms Minns said: “I am delighted with the prompt response from Cumberland Council and I’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on the weeds on my street in Denton Holme to make sure they die off as they now should.

“I contacted Cumberland Council via their website to report the issue and got a reply the next day.

"I didn’t have to write a letter or say I was a parliamentary candidate; I just reported the issue as a local resident.

"I was really pleased with the service.”

Residents who have concerns about street weeding and maintenance should visit: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport