News article in today's Bolton Evening News:

£37,000 to battle weed

A WESTHOUGHTON car park will be given a revamp after councillors pledged
£37,000 to rid the area of an aggressive weed that has caused it to crumble.

Ditchfield car park, off Market Street in the town centre, has become
riddled with the notoriously ruthless Japanese Knotweed which has caused the
tarmac to disintegrate over the last three years.

The plant, which was introduced into the country in the 19th century, has
become renowned for the remarkable strength of its roots -- often up to 15
metres long -- which can wreak havoc if they penetrate concrete structures.

Knotweed can grow at a rate of one inch per day and its bamboo like stems
can reach a height of two metres.

Councillors feared that the plant could spread into the foundations of
nearby business premises and cause them to collapse if it was not stopped in
its tracks.

The surface of the 90-space car park at the rear of Market Street will be be
removed along with two metres of top soil to remove the most harmful part of
the plant before chemicals are used to kill off any remaining roots and a
new surface is laid.

The work will account for the entire town centre improvement fund but town
councillors insist the work is urgent.

Town councillor Jim Gilfillan said: "This plant has absolutely ruined the
car park. It is unbelievably strong stuff and we were a bit worried that it
could cause damage to business properties if it had been allowed to spread
any further.

"Ideally we would have liked to spend the money on something else to improve
the area but this couldn't have waited for another year because it's already
out of control."

A council works programme has not yet been scheduled but Cllr Gilfillan said
he was hopeful that the repairs would be done soon and with minimal
disruption to shoppers and traders.

Dick Shaw, weed biocontrol specialist for the Commonwealth Agricultural
Bureau, said: "This weed is the most aggressive and resilient species in the
UK and can easily push its way through tarmac, get into drainage systems and
threaten the integrity of structures in more severe cases."

He said: "While the work is being done it might be that people have to park
where they can but we hope the work will be quick and effective to get rid
of the problem."

"We have seen numerous car parks relaid because of the effects of the weed -
in some cases only months after they were first put down. The roots can live
underground for up to 20 years and regenerate into full plants when they get
disturbed by developments.

"It was introduced as an ornamental plant about 150 years ago and has spread
from a few pockets to cover huge areas of the country in the classic way
that invasive species do. It has now reached the point where any expansions
are having a major impact on the environment yet people are only just
becoming aware of the problems."

Janice wrote:

News article in today's Bolton Evening News:

£37,000 to battle weed

A WESTHOUGHTON car park will be given a revamp after councillors pledged
£37,000 to rid the area of an aggressive weed that has caused it to crumble.

SNIPPED

Yes,.. its thuggish stuff.. With covered it here in detail not, ooh 3
months ago?

Here in Haringey we are lucky (LOL diabolically) to have our own
subspecies;-)

I would guess that they (the council) are spending the cash now rather
than be sued later for damage to adjoining property.

//
Jim