Following a Letter to the Editor last week from Gordon Payne – concerned about the spread of Japanese Knotweed – OnTheWight got in touch with the Isle of Wight council.
Matthew Chatfield, parks, countryside and rights of way manager at the Isle of Wight Council, told OnTheWight,
“The land on which the knotweed is growing is owned and managed by the Isle of Wight Council for coastal defence purposes. We are aware of the knotweed and are monitoring it.
“The council makes the best use of its available budgets by prioritising knotweed control work to those areas where it is causing or likely to cause damage to designated nature reserves, buildings or other structures.
“In this instance we do not intend to take immediate action as the knotweed is not threatening the coastal defences nor is it posing a danger to any property. We shall continue to inspect the site and when it is necessary to take action we shall do so.”
Gordon’s letter sparked an interesting debate on how to tackle Japanese Knotweed if you find any on your property. As always, there were varying views from readers on the methods suggested.
