Devastating weed spreads in district

Devastating weed spreads in district

21 August 2013

ONE of the world’s most invasive weeds is sprouting up across Down District.

Japanese knotweed has been spotted in several towns and villages across the district and despite Down Council’s best efforts it’s showing no signs of being beaten.

So strong is Fallopia japonica, it is known to break through concrete and tarmac and is extremely difficult to control once it has become established.

So far knotweed has been found in Newcastle, Downpatrick, Drumaness, Loughinisland, Spa and Kilclief.

Loughinisland resident, Paddy Fitzpatrick, first spotted the weed three years ago on council owned land opposite his house.

“”I reported it to the council three years ago and they sprayed them, but they are still there.

“They are hard to keep down and council needs to take action now, throughout the district, before they start growing into people’s properties and cause real damage,” he said.

Local environmentalist, Pat Ward, a board member of the Rural Support Network, said residents are in a fury about the knotweed in Loughinisland.

“This could grow under their property and cause damage to it and land is no-good for property development either. It is growing beside a lake and it could be washed along the lake and in some places people are walking through it and they could transport it on their shoes.

“I want it dealt with now before it causes real problems and the longer it is left the harder it will be to deal with.

“I have contacted Down District Council, NIEA and DARD and rather than dealing with the roots I think they need to be dug up to be dealt with,” he said.

Councillor Patsy Toman said the situation in Drumaness and Loughinisland is very serious.

“Spray won’t kill it and the DOE told me it has to be injected. The DOE injected the knotweed in Drumaness about a month ago and they are waiting to see the results.

“They are checking it periodically to see if it is growing or they are getting rid of it,” he said.

A Down Council spokeswoman said the local authority has been working closely with Invasive Species Ireland to ensure that invasive species can be correctly identified.

“The Grounds Maintenance section are in the second year of a three year chemical eradication programme.

“It can take up to three years of herbicide treatment with monitoring and follow up control for up to five years to ensure the eradication of Japanese knotweed.

“The Council continually seeks to identify and eradicate invasive species on Council land.”