Japanese Knotweed Removal

Development and construction industries face a huge problem with the Japanese knotweed invasion. Eradication is such a large issue and, also, it is one where relatively little is known by many so-called experts; the advice given for Japanese knotweed removal can be confusing. However, the problem of Japanese weed removal is a clear one.

It is now thought that Japanese knotweed affects an area roughly the size of London. DEFRA has placed a conservative total cost of Japanese knotweed removal at £1.56bn. The Victorians obviously admired its imposing height and soft, green, smooth, heart-shaped leaves, purple streaked bamboo-like stems and small, white flowers in late summer. Little did they know how destructive the invasive weed would become.

For now developers must be ruing the day that the Victorian botanical enthusiasts introduced the knotweed, an invasive weed, as an ornamental plant. As a hardy fast-growing invasive plant, the weed enjoys the climate and conditions in the UK as easily as its original habitats in Japan and China. Consequently, this means that in the UK Japanese knotweed can completely swamp native vegetation. It grows voraciously in harsh, disturbed conditions, and can regenerate from very small amounts of growth.

This makes Japanese knotweed removal very difficult and its spread can be rapid. The very real problem with it is the impact it has on buildings. They can easily damage drains, walls, and can even grow through concrete floors; thus meaning the removal of the knotweed is essential before development begins.

In the process of Japanese knotweed eradication it is important to take account of applicable legislation and relevant guidance. The main UK legislation for eradication of this weed to be aware of includes:

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, makes it an offense to spread Japanese knotweed in the wild.

The Environmental protection act 1990, and Duty of care regulations, 1991, make any Japanese knotweed contaminated soil controlled waste.

Third party litigation is also important, where you can be sued for costs and damages if you allow Japanese knotweed to spread from your property.

The Environment Agency also provides useful advice on Japanese knotweed removal in their code of practice. But advice from the Environment Agency is fairly general; they state that during the removal of the invasive weed, the soil around it should be excavated to a 3 metre depth and 7 metre radius. The result of this would be too large an amount of knotweed waste to be handled cost effectively. However, using expert’s advice and professional experience, Japanese knotweed removal services can deal with the infested material and take a much smaller amount of soil offsite, resulting in huge cost savings.