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Welcome to your ultimate guide on Japanese knotweed removal in London. As one of London’s leading Japanese Knotweed removal companies, we offer you the assurance of completely eradicating this invasive weed from your property. Our team of experts provides a range of innovative and tested solutions, backed by a 100% success guarantee and warranty options of up to 10 years, alongside insurance-backed guarantees.
REQUEST A QUOTEJapanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a highly invasive plant species that poses a significant threat to the ecological balance and structural integrity of urban areas, including London. This fast-growing perennial plant, originating from East Asia, has rapidly spread across the globe, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability. Its presence can cause extensive damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and decreased property values.
Japanese Knotweed exhibits astonishing growth rates, with some shoots reaching up to 10 centimetres per day. This rapid growth enables the plant to quickly colonise new areas and outcompete native plant species. The root system of Japanese Knotweed can extend several metres below the ground, spreading horizontally over a wide area. These extensive roots make complete eradication of the plant challenging.
view identification guide Japanese Knotweed presents several significant challenges to London’s urban environment. The extensive root system of Japanese Knotweed can penetrate cracks in walls, pavements, and foundations over time. As the plant grows, it exerts pressure on vulnerable areas, exacerbating existing issues and potentially compromising the integrity of buildings and infrastructure.
When faced with a Japanese Knotweed infestation in London, swift action is crucial. Our professional survey and identification services accurately identify the plant and assess the extent of the infestation, enabling the development of an effective treatment strategy tailored to London’s unique environment.
At JKSL, we specialise in Japanese Knotweed removal services in London. Our highly skilled team is trained to meet industry requirements and follow all industry regulations from the beginning to the end of the process. We offer competitive rates and guaranteed removal to provide each client with great peace of mind.
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JKSL was selected to undertake a complex project in North London, specifically at Harbet Road. The project was a challenging one, involving a variety of tasks that required a comprehensive and strategic approach. Here’s an overview of the strategy and the steps we took:
VIEW full CASE STUDYWe began with a full site survey to identify and record the presence of non-native invasive plants on the site.
We created a Japanese Knotweed Management Plan (JKMP) and detailed survey drawings using AutoCAD.
We installed site security fencing and additional signage due to key overhead and below-ground services that restricted working conditions.
We conducted ecological surveys for nesting birds. As the works were undertaken during the nesting season, we encountered numerous issues that required careful management.
We implemented rigorous bio-security measures to prevent the spread of invasive species.
We cleared all vegetation from the site.
We excavated and relocated Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, both non-hazardous and hazardous waste, to temporary receptor areas.
We implemented asbestos mitigation works and removed asbestos from the site.
We separated ‘industrial scale’ fly-tipped waste from across the entire site, stockpiling in different waste categories ahead of removal from the site.
We applied herbicides to Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed left in mounds and on-site in no-dig areas.
This project was particularly complex due to the unique site location and the large scale of non-native invasive plants and fly-tipping across the site. Despite these challenges, our site teams completed all works within an 8-week period, ensuring that the land was ready for redevelopment as quickly as possible
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in removing Japanese Knotweed from your London site.
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It is not illegal to have Japanese knotweed on your land and you do not have a legal duty to notify anyone that you have Japanese knotweed on your land.
However, there are laws which cover the spread and transport of Japanese knotweed, and without taking action it is possible that you may commit an offence, or be liable for action in the civil courts (you could be sued).
It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild. Prosecutions are very rare, however, and JKSL are not aware of any charges brought under this legislation for allowing Japanese knotweed to spread into a domestic property.
Japanese knotweed (and soil or other material containing Japanese knotweed) is considered “controlled waste” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This means that if you move Japanese knotweed off your land there are various legal duties in how the waste is managed. Controlled waste can only be taken to licensed landfill – this is expensive, the material needs to be booked in with the landfill and there are limited sites which will accept Japanese knotweed materials.
You do not have any legal responsibility to treat Japanese knotweed – however (as outlined above), there are laws which cover what you must, can and cannot do with Japanese knotweed material.
In addition, there have been cases in the civil court where neighbours have been successfully sued for damages for allowing Japanese knotweed to affect adjacent properties.
Local authorities have the power to issue a “community protection notice” (CPN) to compel you to treat Japanese knotweed if it can be shown that you are causing an impact on “local amenity” through your failure to treat or manage the plant.
A Bristol company was prosecuted and fined £18,000 plus costs in 2018 for failing to comply with a CPN which ordered the control of Japanese knotweed on their land. The company was also ordered to secure a management plan from a specialist company within a month of the judgement.
Japanese knotweed is not the most damaging of plant species – but it can grow through tarmac and through small gaps or weaknesses in paving, concrete and other surfaces.
Where construction works are carried out in areas where Japanese knotweed is present, we have seen cases where the plant grows up through floorboards, or between gaps between the old and new construction, resulting in Japanese knotweed plants growing inside a house or commercial building. When this occurs, treatment becomes significantly more complex.
