Help plea to tackle Japanese Knotweed in Carmarthenshire
JAPANESE
Knotweed is such a big problem in Carmarthenshire that Welsh Government help is
needed to tackle it, council chiefs have said.
The weed
is beginning to have an economic as well as an environmental impact, according
to a report prepared for Carmarthenshire Council's executive board.
In the
report, Phil Snaith, chairman of a group looking at non-native invasive weeds
(NNIW) for the council, said: "Despite the already known environmental impact,
even home mortgages are now beginning to be blocked by the presence of NNIW."
The
weeds' spread was also causing safety issues with some older residents fearing
thickets of the weeds provide the "perfect hiding place" making open spaces
"no-go areas" because it encourages antisocial behaviour. The weeds also become
"litter traps".
Tackling
the problem is estimated to cost the Welsh economy £125 million a year.
Japanese
Knotweed can grow through concrete and Tarmac, damaging buildings and roads.
The
plant, which can grow a metre a month, can lie dormant for 20 years before
growing. A new plant can spring from just one centimetre of cut stem.
But
council leader Meryl Gravell added: "I feel it's such a problem that we need to
get the Welsh Government to look at it."
Labour
group leader Kevin Madge, the council's deputy leader, said it was time the
problem was sorted out. "If it carries on the way it has it will double in size
in 50 years," he said.
A Welsh
Government spokeswoman said: "Detailed guidance on the control of Japanese
Knotweed in construction and landscape contracts is to be distributed to local
authorities by the Welsh Government."