A controversial chemical weedkiller is to be used on the Isle of Wight's streets once again, less than a year after it was scrapped.
Island Roads, contractor on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, said it received complaints that its 'alternative approach' to weeding was not as effective.
It said it will therefore reintroduce the use of Glyphosate.
A spokesperson for the company said:
"Despite our best efforts and investment, at the height of the summer we had more than a dozen staff dedicate to weeding, residents have also reported a proliferation of weeds on the network since the new approach was adopted.
"In short, regrettably we are unable to meet our contractual requirements to control weeds on the network using manual labour and organic herbicides."
Previously quad bikes were used by contractors to spray the chemical, but, following 'local feedback', a new approach was trialled last summer.
It focused on hand weeding and some spraying, using a non-glyphosate-based
Glyphosate has split opinion among experts, with some concerned it is harmful to both humans, insects and the environment.
Germany is planning to phase the chemical's use out by 2023.
Island Roads said it will use a highly diluted form, as before.
“As a company we take our responsibility to the environment extremely seriously and, in partnership with the Council, keep our practices under review to ensure we continue to provide effective and responsible weed control as part our work to maintain a safe and accessible road and footway network."
Councillor Phil Jordan said:
""There is a legal obligation on us, as the highway authority, to ensure that roads and pavements are safe.
"We were pleased with Island Roads initiative to trial the use of other methods instead of chemical weed killer. This was a useful exercise, but the results were not sustainable nor successful in managing the problem we face of dangerous levels of weed growth.
"We agree with Island Roads that for now, the use of a chemical-based weed control is a way forward for a controlled approach to maintaining both safety and preservation of the condition of our roads and footways.
"We are mindful that other local authorities have also trialled non-chemical weed control methods but have returned to using chemical herbicides due to the ineffectiveness of alternative methods.
"Nonetheless, the use of other suitable methods and products is always being researched and considered; and it may be that in future seasons we are able to find an alternative approach that is sustainable and effective to deal with the extent of the problem we face.”
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