We must weed out this evil invader
A STATELY home owner was cleared of criminal damage after he stripped his tenant’s garden without telling him beforehand after he discovered an outbreak of Japanese knotweed (Mail). I was a professional landscaper for 30 years and I am only too aware of this pernicious weed’s potential to cause havoc. Councils and network Rail are often guilty of being unwilling to accept full responsibility for its removal and target only the part of the infestation which affect their own property, but that will never work. This vigorous and nasty plant takes no notice of boundaries, dykes, canals, roads or paths. I have taken pictures of it growing under houses, so that it appeared in the front garden, the back garden and even in the living room. I have seen it growing on both sides of a river, crossing under a road and inside a huge warehouse. To get rid of this pest there would have to be a concerted effort by every landowner within 25ft of its growth above ground in all directions, and there can be no half-measures. Councils need to take out enforcement orders and ensure they are carried out. network Rail appears to be willing to throw money on hiring lawyers to fight the many lawsuits brought against it over its alleged failure to tackle this problem and stop it encroaching on its neighbours. When I drive on the roads, I need to have valid insurance, minimum thirdparty, so surely network Rail needs insurance, too, against such claims. It carries the responsibility for the upkeep of the track and to fail to do so is surely negligent. To allow Japanese knotweed to grow onto a neighbours’ land is not only a wildlife crime, but an anti-social crime. ALAN LAY, Wisbech, Cambs.