When it comes to gardening did you know certain plants can lead to a fine? Japanese knotweed, which is a fast-growing invasive plant, is extremely difficult to eradicate without professional help.
Experts at Compare the Market have even said that you could be fined up to £5,000 and receive a possible prison term of up to two years if you let the plant spread into natural areas.
Anna McEntee from Compare the Market said: “Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is an offence to plant Japanese knotweed or allow it to grow in the wild.
“Although it’s not illegal to have the plant on private property, residents can face fines of up to £5,000 if they allow it to spread into natural areas.
“If contaminated soil or plant material from any waste transfer leads to the spread of knotweed in the wild, UK residents could face a prison term of up to two years.”
Japanese knotweed is hard to get rid of due to the plant sprouting from even the smallest of roots. These are the worst affected areas in the UK when it comes to Japanese knotweed.
In total, there are more than 50,000 infestations across England and Wales alone. So where is the worst affected area in the UK?
It turns out South Wales has five areas out of the top 20 affected areas with Swansea, Llanelli, Cardiff, Neath and Bridgend all making the list.
Here are the top 20 worst affected areas and the number of infestations:
- Swansea – 1350
- Bristol – 1121
- Bolton – 1010
- Cardiff – 872
- Preston – 857
- Nottingham – 803
- Derby – 711
- Caernarfon – 708
- Llanelli – 706
- Bridgendwales – 664
- Neath – 631
- Liverpool – 604
- Dolgellau – 564
- Chesterfield – 563
- Betws-y-coed – 543
- Rotherham – 543
- Blackburn – 541
- Manchester – 532
- Sheffield – 517
- Norwich – 414
If you’re worried about what it looks like it can be identified as hard, bamboo-like canes and bright green leaves.
