Work is on track to tackle menace of Giant Hogweed
Work to combat invasive Giant Hogweed plants on Network Rail land in the Stirling area has recommenced with the lifting of lockdown.
Spraying started in the Allan Water area last week and it is expected to continue in other areas of the district in the coming weeks.
It follows a call by Stirling MP Bruce Crawford for Network Rail to take action over the spread of the invasive species which pushes out native plants.
Mr Crawford had been contacted by residents in Causewayhead about the amount of Giant Hogweed growing close to gardens and homes there.
He said:“this is becoming an annual occurrence in the Causewayhead area. Giant Hogweed is a stubborn invasive species and it takes serious action to eradicate it completely.
“A number of my constituents have this dangerous plant growing near to their gardens and homes which is an unacceptable position to be in.
“Contact with Giant Hogweed can cause serious injury, and the longer it is left to grow near residential properties, the more likely it is that it will sprout in people’s gardens the following year – that would be totally unacceptable.
“I hope that Network Rail take the action necessary to cut down the chances of a reappearance of Giant Hogweed in this area again next year.”
In a response to Mr Crawford’s letter on the issue, Network Rail said: “As you are aware Giant Hogweed is common to the railway environment and can pose a danger to rail colleagues working to maintain the rail network and we carry out a long spraying programme to eradicate the invasive weed in many locations.
“This year the programme has been delayed because of Covid-19 and Government guidelines that stipulated that we could only carry out work that was critical to the safe function of the railway.
“Our spraying programme has recommenced now that the Government has begun easing lockdown restrictions.
“I have spoken to maintenance colleagues and they have confirmed that we started spraying Giant Hogweed in the Allan Water area last week and have been working through the area.
“We are in the process of awarding a new contract to spray the Giant Hogweed in the area to help clear the backlog built up during lockdown.”