Concerns have been raised about the use of weed killer glyphosate to prevent tree regrowth along the Royal Military Canal.

Some trees and vegetation have been cut down on the northern bank of the waterway in Hythe as part of preparation work for the Princes Parade housing scheme.

Now, Ecoplugs have been placed in the tree stumps in an attempt to prevent them regrowing.

According to Forest Research, Ecoplugs are a novel formulation of crystalline glyphosate encapsulated in a plastic plug, which are inserted into the tree stump.

But concerned resident Mark Brophy has written to developer Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) about the use of the "powerful weedkiller".

He said: "There is no signage nor barriers to warn people that this powerful weedkiller is being used and is an open area where children and dogs may come into contact with it."

Mr Brophy also questioned the need to "kill the stumps using this method" and asked "if the effect on the Royal Military Canal's water quality has been considered, should the chemical leach into it".

The authority says the plugs present no risks.

It comes after FHDC declared in 2019 that it will phase out the use of all pesticides on its land and instead trial alternative ways to control weeds.

FHDC followed other councils in the UK, such as Brighton, Bristol, Croydon, Trafford and Lewes, who had already banned the use of glyphosate, which is listed as a probable carcinogen.

Exceptions are included however, such as the control of Japanese knotweed, or other invasive species, where there are currently no effective mechanical techniques available.

Speaking about the Ecoplugs being used in the trees along the canal, a spokesman for FHDC said: "As a council we only use glyphosate where absolutely necessary, and Ecoplugs have been used to stop the regrowth of these particular trees.

"There is no risk to residents, pets, or the local environment.

"According to the Forestry Commission, Ecoplugs ‘present practically no risk of non-target drift or operator contamination’."

The Princes Parade scheme will see a new leisure centre, 150 homes, a hotel,shops and green spaces built along Princes Parade Road, which runs along Hythe’s seafront.

As part of the plans, the road will be relocated closer to the Royal Military Canal.

The project, led by developer FHDC, has been subject to many protests and even a court battle to stop it going ahead since it was first proposed.

The court battle, headed by action group Save Princes Parade, was eventually lost at Judicial Review.

Work started on the development this year, including the trees and vegetation being removed along the canal, plus sampling across the site at varying levels and depths using a number of different methods.

Members of action group Save Princes Parade and some councillors called the removal of the vegetation and trees ‘premature’, fearing it would disturb nesting birds.

As a result, around 50 people ended up gathering near the waterway to protest what was happening. Police were eventually called.

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