knotweed and the idiots at network rail

princeofpounds

Please don't call the police over this as we have enough work to do dealing with noisy neighbours, kids playing football, verbal domestics, or car parking problems, without getting involved in a garden problem no matter how potentially serious it is to your house. The local council would be far more appropriate and knowledgeable.

Look, I'm sure you are very busy and I would expect it to be right down the bottom of the list of operational priority that will maybe take a couple of weeks to respond to.

I also specifically stated that the actions of network rail might not constitute the criminal behaviour necessary to justify involving the police and so the council would be a preferable option.

However, inappropriately dealing with knotweed is a CRIME. Remember those? They are the things that the police are supposed to prevent and investigate. The police don't get to choose what is and what is not a crime based on their own perceptions, that's for parliament to decide.

Knotweed is not a 'garden problem' - it can ruin a building to the point of requiring demolition in weeks and is hugely expensive to fight against because unless you really know what you are doing you need contractors with various environmental agency approvals to remove it every couple of months.

Oh, and finally I should add that I think you are being silly for comparing it to minor disputes that probably drag in 999-type resources. This sort of thing doesn't get handled by PC Plod but by the local wildlife crimes officer.

Knotweed_hater

Hi

I live in a top floor tennement and having a terrible time with knotweed. The back of the shared garden backs onto a railway embankment which is covered in knotweed and some has crossed the boundary into the tennement garden. I have been trying to sell but it's pointless as the survey picks up the knotweed and potential buyers run as they can't get a mortgage! To make it worse I am 20 weeks pregnant and the one bed flat is totally unsuitable for a baby. The stress of it all is really affecting me! Network rail are treating the weed, but I have been told it will take 5 years and in the meantime my flat is unsellable

It is not just me that it is affected, but the entire street of flats - potentially 100's of people ! It's just that it's only me that is trying to move urgently. I know another flat, a few doors up also has the problem. I presume as more people try to move the problem will become more prominent to all.

Any advice? Can we all collectively sue network rail for letting it spread? I can see my child having to sleep in the kitchen at this rate!!!!

any help appreciated

PasturesNew

A leaflet that might have a bit more info http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/305E2984-77EE-4771-AB5F-F6B2020CCB5C/0/JapaneseKnotweed.pdf

Environmental Protection Act 1990 is applicable too.

jimpix12

Worth reading OP http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052337/Hertfordshire-couple-demolish-300k-home-rid-Japanese-knotweed.html

captainpants

Hi there

Thought I'd give an update on the situation.

I received an email this afternoon from the network rail contact who told me she is now getting a quote from a knotweed specialist removal company as the general contractors have been in twice already with no success.

I am surprised and cautiously pleased at this new development - the cautiousness stems from being unsure as to whether network rail will go any further than just getting a quote but it is a step in the right direction.

I noticed yesterday that there is a knotweed stalk growing on the boundary line of network rail land and our dwelling (against the external wall). Should I be panicking about where the hell the roots are at this point?

I am hoping that given the email correspondence over the last 5 months in which Network Rail does acknowledge and accept that the knotweed is on their land, I should have a strong case for compensation should any structural damage be incurred as a result of this......(i think?)

maninthestreet

I would be getting the weedkiller on it straught away. To delay could be fatal.

donnap83

Just to be clear, the knotweed is growing next to the exterior of your house?

captainpants

Hi donnap83

Yes, it's growing next to the exterior of the house.

The problem is I can't access the land because there is a locked gate preventing access (there is a railway cutting on the other side of the boundary) and cannot reach over my fence to spray the point at which it is growing next to my house.

To climb over the gate would be to trespass and I think at this point I need to be on the right side of the law at all times in order to have a strong claim should I need it down the line.

I have notified the contact at network rail that is it next to the property.

Shelldean

it was on the one show tonight about a house with knotweed growing INSIDE!!!

CapJ

captainpants wrote: »

Hi donnap83

Yes, it's growing next to the exterior of the house.

The problem is I can't access the land because there is a locked gate preventing access (there is a railway cutting on the other side of the boundary) and cannot reach over my fence to spray the point at which it is growing next to my house.

To climb over the gate would be to trespass and I think at this point I need to be on the right side of the law at all times in order to have a strong claim should I need it down the line.

I have notified the contact at network rail that is it next to the property.

Problem is it is about to attack your house. Tell the people from network rail that it cannot take more than a day for a quote so they have 2 days to sort this now urgent matter out. It is about to enter your house which will mean knocking it down and replacing - at a massive cost to NR