Japanese Knotweed

Whilst walking around the local area this morning I noticed there is an alarming amount of the stuff popping up all over the place.
Sadly it’s quite inoffensive looking to start with, but by the time it’s visible above ground, it is usually really getting stuck in.

I have always been in a quandary about what to do when you spot it on someone else’s property. Do you knock and try and educate them without sounding like you are offering to clear it for them, mind your own business.?

I’m tempted to print off some leaflets to drop through people’s doors with information on them.

Nasty stuff

Anyone else noticed an increase in it? Right weather for it to start showing up now, but I’m certain it’s running wild this year.

Indeed, very nasty. There’s a property on the Sunderland Road corner that has a major problem.

Yes, I’ve tried to educate my neighbours and some sort of leaflet campaign would be good.

Interestingly, there was a MAJOR infestation on the railway siding at the corner of Stansted Road, and they’ve managed to clear it yet there is other vegetation growing. I wonder how they dealt with it?

In case anyone doesn’t know what we are talking about - look out for this bamboo-looking plant

I know there is meant to be some rather expensive deep root intervention process that is supposed to wipe it out, but had always heard it was an extreme last resort.
I think sometimes because it had the word weed in it, it sounds like you are just being critical of it.

Next time I am out walking I shall picture and make note of where the locations are. If others could give a rough idea of where they are seeing it too, then it’s possible to see how bad and wide spread it is, and see if it is worth me printing some stuff off.

Just need to make it informative but non commercial looking.

There used to be some by the Siddons car hire last year, not sure if its still there though.

Yup I remember seeing it last year, will take a look if it’s still there next time I walk past. Orrible stuff. Thanks for the reminder.

You could be fined up to £5,000 or be sent to prison for up to 2 years if you allow contaminated soil or plant material from any waste you transfer to spread into the wild.
–gov.uk

Wondering if there is a standard process for reporting some of this stuff growing out of control so that the landlord (in this case probably either L&Q or Hyde Housing) is forced to take action. Does anyone know?

Here’s a little look at the ‘jungle’

IMG_20160528_123518.jpg918×1632 745 KB

L&Q are great on Twitter @LQcontactus
Give them the address and they will confirm if it is theirs, and if so are quick to tackle it.
I have reported two to them recently.

I’ll ask someone who might know first - as I suspect it is probably Hyde Housing, however I gather they’ve just announced a merger with L&Q so maybe same people after all - just wondering if there was an equivalent to ‘fix my street’ - like ‘fix my knotweed’ or something

Thirstforwine - which corner with Sunderland Road is the knotweed?

Indeed.
If this is the Perry Vale end, and the porperly opposite Mayow, L&Q are dealing with this soon I believe.

It isn’t Sunderland - it is on the north side of Waldram Park Road