Japanese knotweed is a highly-invasive plant, growing so quickly it outcompetes others wherever it takes root. Landowners who fail to keep it under control risk serious fines, as Transport for Wales found out earlier this year.
What happened?
Transport for Wales was ordered to pay a pensioner almost £10,000 in damages thanks to a Japanese knotweed infestation that he claimed damaged his property in Pontypridd. The weed spread from a neighbouring railway track and into his garden, with its first appearance noted in 2016.
It is illegal in the UK to let Japanese knotweed spread from your land. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business, if Japanese knotweed is growing on your property, you are legally required to keep it under control.
The homeowner claims that Transport for Wales had failed to do so, and by 2020 it had grown over 20 feet. This has devalued the property in question, so a judge granted damages of nearly £10,000 to be awarded to the homeowner.
Japanese knotweed is commonly found on the edge of railways in the UK, and Transport for Wales acknowledged that the plant was growing on its land. They had taken over the Core Valley Lines – which ran past the home in question – from Network Rail in 2020, and claim not to have missed a treatment. Network Rail were previously fined for allowing the weed to spread into neighbouring gardens in Cardiff.
The case highlights how important it is to nip Japanese knotweed in the bud – literally. Treating the problem as soon as it arises is the best strategy. Japanese knotweed can grow 20cm a day in the right conditions, so it needs to be dealt with quickly.
That’s where we come in. We offer a professional Japanese Knotweed Removal service. If you think you might have Japanese knotweed on, or near, your property, get in touch and book a free survey today.
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