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Japanese Knotweed

29/07/2010

Japanese Knotweed has been reported to the South Somerset's Contaminated Land Officer who has been in touch to ask people to keep their eyes peeled and if found contact him.

His contact details are:

Jeff Downing
Contaminated Land Officer

Environmental Protection
Langport Area Office,
Old Kelways,
Somerton Road,
Langport,
TA10 9YE
01458 257483
jeff.downing@southsomerset.gov.uk

In the U.S. and Europe, Japanese knotweed is widely considered an invasive species or weed. It is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species.

The invasive root system and strong growth can damage foundations, buildings, flood defences, roads, paving, retaining walls and architectural sites. It can also reduce the capacity of channels in flood defences to carry water.