Japanese Knotweed - The Problem
The speed at which Japanese Knotweed has spread throughout Britain has been nothing less than spectacular. The damage it has already caused to commercial and domestic sites is practically unquantifiable and it now occupies a site in every 10km² of England and Wales and is also present to a lesser extent in Scotland, Ireland and other parts of Europe.
The aggressive growth pattern is capable of exposing weaknesses in hard engineered structures such as concrete, tarmac, brick walls and foundations. Soil and waste containing Japanese Knotweed is deemed to have the potential to cause ecological harm. So far only commercial developments have realised the significance of this invasive weed, but it is only a matter of time before domestic problems will materialise making this a matter for public concern.
Specific problems caused by Japanese Knotweed are:
- Damage to paving and tarmac areas
- Damage to retaining wall structures
- Damage to building foundations
- Damage to flood defence structures
- Damage to archaeological sites
- Reduction in land values
- Aesthetic issues
- Reduction in biodiversity through out-shading native vegetation
- Restriction of access to riverbanks for anglers, bank inspection and amenity use
