Japanese Knotweed

[rodders123]

My neighbour opposite me has two clumps of knotweed growing on his property. Both are approximately 5 metres from my boundary and about 15 metres from my dwelling. There is one clunp in his driveway and one in his hedgerow. The one in his hedgerow is spreading and is now growing on the council grass verge. This is cut two or three times a year by council contractors and once a year he engages someone to flail cut his roadside hedge. This sends the knotweed scattering everywhere, stems and seed. I am really concerned that this will eventually invade my property. Is there anything I can do, now that it is on the council verge?

[boxtops]

Best ask your council, they should have a policy about knotweed.

[Milvus]

This is from the environment agency
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/130079.aspx

[frugalfred]

In the UK, Japanese Knotweed is established in the wild in many parts of the country and creates problems due to the impact on biodiversity, flooding management and damage to property. It is an offence under section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to "plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild" any plant listed in Schedule nine, Part II to the Act, which includes Japanese knotweed. It is also classed as "controlled waste" in Britain under part 2 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This requires disposal at licensed landfill sites. The species is expensive to remove; Defra's Review of Non-native Species Policy states that a national eradication programme would be prohibitively expensive at £1.56 billion [7]

[frugalfred]

In Scotland, the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force in July 2012 that superseded the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This act states that is an offence to spread intentionally or unintentionally Japanese knotweed (or other non-native invasive species).

[rodders123]

Thanks for your help, will get some brushwood killer tomorrow and do four hour patrols of my property

[leahbee]

There is a huge stand of knotweed growing opposite my house on school playing fields.
When I contacted the school they had no idea about the problem with this weed. Since then they have had it professionally sprayed several times and now three years later it has started to die back.
I don't think cutting it will help and will probably help to spread it.
I should have a word with your council because I have read that knotweed can devalue your property.

[rodders123]

frugal fred, pity we don't have the same laws in England

[bookaholic]

Mr Bookworm deals with this with his work, he suggests you contact your council as its on council property they have a responsibility to deal with the knotweed. It is a notifiable plant so also contact the environment agency because they have a database of all knotweed locations. Roundup weed killer sprayed on the plant will take effect over time. Hope this helps.

[rodders123]

Thanks bookaholic