0161 723 2000
8AM to 5PM
0161 723 2000
8AM to 5PM
Do you ever wonder how Knotweed continues to spread around the UK?
Surely, everyone must be aware of the issues, surely nobody would knowingly spread this troublesome weed?
Well….let me tell you a little story.
I live in Glossop. I have done pretty much all my life, apart from college and a short period of living in Oldham. I know the town pretty well and have documented the spread of Japanese knotweed and other invasive species around the periphery of the built-up area and occasional hotspots along the river.
In the time since I set up Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd (JKSL) I have picked up quite a few projects in the local area and have spray regimes on some of the larger waterside infestations.
A few years ago, I noticed a house builder putting up signs adjacent to the river in the centre of the town, next to an open park area. The river side had a large infestation of JK on the side which was within the development boundary.
Seeing that site cabins were in place, I called in to see the site manager and introduced myself, saying that I had noticed the large area of JK within his site boundary. The site manager was very helpful and advised he would pass my card on to the development team.
A few weeks later, I called past and noticed that all the Knotweed had disappeared.
I parked up and called in to see the site manager.
He advised me that …. ‘it wasn’t Japanese knotweed mate …you were mistaken…’
…and that, dear reader, is why Japanese knotweed will continue to be spread around the UK by unscrupulous developers who flout the law and dispose of the plant illegally ….
I rest my case.
Mike C
Note: ‘yes’ I did report this to the EA …and ‘no’ they didn’t do anything about it.
