COUNCILLORS have voted to robustly challenge Cornwall Council plans to use glyphosate to kill roadside weeds following concerns its cancer causing.

Newquay Town Council decided at its extraordinary environment and facilities meeting on Thursday to call for a 12 month pause in the plan so that alternatives can be explored with town and parish councils.

It follows the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifying glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2015.

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet has been accused of being “threatening” and “coercive” after stating it would stop “enhanced environmental maintenance” including the wider pathways and verges if town and parish council decide to opt out of its proposal to use a diluted glyphosate mix on roadside weeds.

There are concerns the money Cornwall Council is offering town and parish councils to deal with weed treatment if they decide to opt out would not cover the cost.

A packed public gallery at the meeting urged Newquay Town Council to push back against the plans.

It was highlighted that the cabinet’s three-week window offering opt out to parish and town councils over Easter when councils don’t hold meetings was “disingenuous” and flies in the face of Cornwall Council’s own commitments to work collaboratively with town and parish councils.

Councillors also argued Cornwall Council would be going against its motion agreed 10 years ago to not use glyphosate following concerns the chemical harms human health as well as bees and pollinators if it goes through with the plan.

Mayor Drew Creek highlighted the limited contractors available to support such highway work using glyphosate and suggested officers work up plans to explore mechanical weed management of highways in Newquay which could be then contracted out to other authorities in Cornwall.

He stated he had spoken to representatives from councils in Wadebridge, Penryn, Falmouth, Truro, Perranporth amongst others who would be interested in this approach.

Cllr Creek said: “Newquay Town Council will respond to Cornwall Councils plans in the strongest of terms insisting this harmful chemical not be used and a 12-month period given to explore credible alternatives.

“This decision made by the Lib Dem Cabinet without any consultation with the public or stakeholders is a huge reversal of policy and flies in the face of Cornwall Council’s commitments to community, environment, water quality and is undermining local democracy.

“Cornwall Council cites 1,500 complaints about weeds it’s recorded over a three-year period yet in the past three days over 5,000 people have signed local petitions calling on them to stop this harmful and dangerous practice.

“I think the public have sent a clear message as have we at Newquay Town Council, it is not acceptable to be using this chemical.”