KILLER WEEDS

The notorious Japanese Knotweed has invaded the River Braid and there have been calls for the council to act.

Japanese Knotweed strikes fear into the hearts of gardeners across the country as it is the most invasive species of plant in Britain, it spreads extremely quickly, preventing native vegetation from growing.

At last Monday night’s full council meeting, Alderman Martin Clarke raised concerns about the weed growing on the banks of the Braid around the bridge at Braidwater retail park.

Clarke said: “This particular stuff is deadly to plant life and it can come through concrete. It is growing around the bridge at Sainsbury’s on the Harryville side. It is an offence to plant it, but it has grown in the wild.”

Clarke asked could this issue be passed onto the Council’s Environmental Health Service.

Deputy Chief Executive Ronnie McBride told members that the council had to deal with this plant before at the Ecos Centre.

He said: “Some years ago we published a report, as we found some on our property at the Ecos, it is a plant that needs to be treated.

“It is a particularly horrendous plant, very difficult to get rid of, I would be happy to produce another report.”

On the Enivornment Agency website it advises that private landowners are not legally obliged to remove Japanese Knotweed, unless it is causing a nuisance to neighbouring property.

However it is an offence to plant, or cause Japanese Knotweed to grow, in the wild.

Councillor Monica Digney said she is currently having a battle with this plant on her property, while Councillor Davy Tweed warned members that this plant needs to be treated with spray and not cut.