Knotweed: it’s a ‘growing’ problem

THE MOST unwanted of nature’s green guests, knotweed, is growing at an alarming rate across the district, mainly on private properties.

Cllr Michael Sheehan said the invasive weed is appearing all around New Ross. ‘People are starting to ring us about it,’ he said. Cllr Martin Murphy said the problem is also a growing one in Fethard on Sea, where the dock area has been overtaken, in parts, by the weed. ‘It’s growing very close to the road and grass is growing over it,’ he said.

‘It’s a growing problem,’ cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming said, to laughter.

District manager Sinead Casey said: ‘Without exposing the authority to excessive costs, there are ways and means [of dealing with it].’

Cllr Larry O’Brien said that people need to be educated about its dangers. District director Eamonn Hore said: ‘ There is far more knotweed on private property than on public roads. It is the responsibility of the department of Arts, Heritage & The Gaeltact.’