knotweed and the idiots at network rail

jonewer

Network rail is dreadful with knotweed. I see vast amounts of it along the tracks on the way to work and back. I'm amazed more people dont make a fuss.

SuzieSue

OP, I really think the situation is getting critical. You need to get some professional advice quickly instead of relying on Network Rail before you end up having to knock your house down. Did you read the Daily Mail article below?

sonastin

Next time you speak to them about the knnotweed adjacent to your house, ask them if they have put their insurers on notice. After all, they are the ones who will have to pay out if your house falls down.

g_attrill

Just a note - from my reading it is not illegal to merely have knotweed growing on your land, the offence is to plant it or cause it to grow (ie. by dumping waste), or if it causes a nuisance to others. That said, if it's on the boundary and threatening to cross I'm sure that is enough:

http://www.naturenet.net/law/weeds.html

captainpants

I will be seeking initial legal advice as to the best way to proceed.

I feel I'm in a difficult position as it's not yet on my property (from a detailed visual check) so the most I can do at this point is be vigilant in informing Network Rail of the state of the knotweed and have all correspondence recorded in case it does go to court.

I'm not really interested in making a nuisance claim at this point. Partly because Network Rail do seem to be responding, albeit slowly, to the issue (thus weakening any claim at this point) and partly because the time and stress of going to court will not really be worth it unless it's for damages and compensation (which means I would only start a court process if the knotweed is found in my property).

Yes, it could turn into that Daily Mail nightmare. At the end of the day, it's just a house. I feel I have a strong case for Network Rail to pay all costs and more should the worst happen and the knotweed spread to the building. I have been through more stressful experiences and so see this one as more of an exercise in environmental legislation enforcement and pestering a notoriously unresponsive entity.

If anyone does know a solicitor who has experience in this kind of area I would very much appreciate a PM. I am only in the advice-seeking stage at present but I like to be prepared.