A homeowner in South Wales has been awarded £6,000 in compensation by Network Rail after finding Japanese knotweed in his garden
- The homeowner was awarded £6,000 in compensation after finding Japanese knotweed
- Chris Davis first found the plant in his garden in 2019 and has since spread
- The facility was built on the Network Rail Infrastructure railroad behind his house
A homeowner has been awarded thousands of pounds in compensation after finding harmful Japanese knotweed in his garden.
Chris Davis, who lives in South Wales with his family, was awarded £6,000 after the invasive weed appeared to be taking over his garden.
The aggressive plant can spread across a property’s lot and render it unsaleable as it can be difficult for buyers to obtain a mortgage on the property.
Pest: Japanese knotweed can cause headaches for homeowners
The plant can often be found near train tracks, as it is intentionally planted to stabilize surrounding embankments.
In Mr. Davies’ case, the facility was built on the Network Rail Infrastructure railway track behind his home.
He first noticed the plant in 2019, though it’s now growing near some of his outbuildings – which could eventually cause damage to those buildings.
The homeowner sought legal advice from High Street Solicitors in Liverpool in 2019 and had the knotweed professionally assessed.
The investigation found that the knotweed near Mr Davies’ property was two meters high and spread over an area of around 36m².
The infestation is believed to be around 20 years old, with the plant believed to be between four and five years old on Mr Davies’ land.
The investigation found no evidence of treatment within Network Rail Infrastructure’s property, with the surveyor indicating that Network Rail Infrastructure had raised trunks within its own boundaries.
Network Rail Infrastructure was contacted for comment and declined.
Invasive: According to a survey, the plant spreads over an area of about 36 m²
Mr Davies is relieved that compensation and a treatment plan are in place.
He said: “I had noticed the Japanese knotweed and knew it can really damage the structure of nearby properties if left untreated.
“I am pleased that my family has received compensation and that the invading plant has been treated to prevent future damage.”
Christopher Eccles of High Street Solicitors added: “Summer is the peak of the Japanese knotweed season when the plant grows more vigorously.
“Japanese knotweed poses a risk to the structure of properties because it wreaks havoc as it grows and destroys the foundations of homes.”
How to get rid of Japanese knotweed
If the dreaded plant is caught early enough, it can be conquered. The Royal Horticultural Society says the most effective and easiest way to control a limited knotweed outbreak is with a glyphosate-based treatment like Roundup Tree Stump Weedkiller.
The plant can be cut back in summer leaving only an eight inch long hollow stalk above the ground. Then drip the weed killer into the well so it will soak up the poison – and hopefully kill underground growth.
But it usually requires at least three to four treatment periods. A professional knotweed killer will cost more, but you’ll have access to a more powerful weed killer that can control the outbreak in less time.
You should also provide a certificate stating that the job was done and the problem resolved. The company should also include a guarantee that if the problem recurs within five or 10 years, they will be treated free of charge under the initial contract.
Colin Peters, of weed control specialists Perfect Ground Solutions in Wareside, Hertfordshire, told This is Money: “You don’t have to lose sleep over Japanese knotweed – there are sensational stories about the damage it can do, when in reality it usually isn’t big problem.
“You can pay around £100 for an on-site visit by an expert to diagnose the situation and see how it might be treated. If you’re lucky, a couple of repeat treatments with a few hundred pounds can do the trick. The final bill can be well under £1,000 and it will be money well spent.’
But Peters warns that doing nothing is not a wise option given knotweed’s propensity to spread.
Trying to dig it up yourself can do more harm than good if accidentally disturbing rhizomes in the ground. Removing contaminated soil and treating a stubborn knotweed clump can cost at least £5,000.
