Recent news reports have detailed how Network Rail has paid out nearly £500,000 in compensation to homeowners whose properties have been impacted by Japanese knotweed. In all of these cases, the Japanese knotweed in question originated on Network Rail's land - close to railway lines.
The highest amount of compensation was paid out in Wales and the Western regions, where over £294,950 was claimed for Japanese knotweed damages over a three-year period. These figures show that Japanese knotweed is a real threat if your home backs onto a railway line. But why is Japanese knotweed such a problem here?
Well, Japanese knotweed is a very fast-growing plant, and in a lot of these cases, it seems that the infestation has not been controlled by Network Rail to prevent it from impacting neighbouring properties. It's a case of too little, too late. With improper precautions in place to stop the spread of knotweed from the railway lines into surrounding areas.
What to do if knotweed has encroached on your property from a railway line
If you suspect that your property has been damaged by Japanese knotweed that's spread from a nearby railway line, you should alert the authorities immediately. Your local council will be able to advise you on the best course of action, and might even get in touch with the appropriate railway company to start the ball rolling.
Once you've notified the authorities, we'd recommend getting in touch with a knotweed removal company like ourselves. Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we can carry out a detailed survey to document the extent of the knotweed problem, identify where it came from, and propose a suitable treatment plan to get it under control.
With the help of a professional Japanese knotweed company behind you, you will have all the necessary paperwork to be able to pursue a court case against the offending railway company. We can even step in as expert witnesses to provide evidence if necessary.
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Where is Japanese knotweed most likely to grow?
Besides railway lines, Japanese knotweed has a tendency to pop up in all kinds of places. Some places, however, are more common than others. Here are some of the places that Japanese knotweed is likely to grow...
- Domestic gardens
- Flower beds and borders
- Large commercial sites
- Woodlands
- Watercourses
Read more: Where is Japanese Knotweed Most Likely to Grow?
So there you have it. If you were wondering whether Japanese knotweed is more common near railway lines, the answer is yes - but that's not the only place it rears its ugly head! If you suspect you have Japanese knotweed on your property, get in touch with us today.
Contact Taylor Total Weed Control >
Is It Japanese Knotweed?