Knotweed nightmare for mother

WORRIED . . .First Choice Homes tenant Sarah Daniels shows the Japanese knotweed in her back garden

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JAPANESE knotweed is making life hell for a Chadderton mum and her family.

The invasive plant is spreading at an alarming rate at Sarah Daniels' home in Henley Street, where she lives with her three children aged eight, six and two.

Knotweed has been known to grow through concrete and damage buildings, bridges and roads.

It also impacts ecosystems by preventing the growth of native plants.

Although treatment on the weed has started, it can take up to five years to kill it.

Sarah is a First Choice Homes tenant.

She says she is too worried to let her children or dog in the garden as she fears the situation could get worse and the plant is already spreading to her next-door neighbour's house.

She said: "I was out gardening one day and it just all came from nowhere. It's growing from underneath the house and I really don't know what to do about it.

"It grows so quickly, I'm worried what will happen.

"I can't do anything with my garden with that there and I'm worried about making it worse.

"My kids can't go out and play in the garden and I can't let my dog in there either.

"I was actually hoping to buy this house when I moved in but now that's just not an option. With this in the garden I'd never get a mortgage.

"I asked First Choice Homes about the possibility of moving but I'd have to go on a waiting list. I don't really want to move, though, because my children have just settled here and I really don't want to move them somewhere again."

First Choice Homes Oldham say they are doing all they can and have treated the plant by spraying the leaves but the process of killing it can take up to five years.

However, Sarah says she believes the plant could be dealt with in a quicker way but it would cost much more.

Dave Smith, customer first director at First Choice Homes Oldham, said: "We always act on reports of Japanese knotweed on our land and encourage all residents to let us know if they find any.

"Unfortunately, treatment is not as simple as just digging it up and putting in the bin.

"It is controlled waste and even a tiny amount of it can grow into a new plant. It is illegal to cause it to grow wild and it must not be disposed of in general waste, green bins or at the tip.

"We treat it on-site, either by injecting the stems or, in larger plants, spraying the leaves.

"This treatment takes time and complete eradication can take up to five years, so the sooner treatment starts the better.

"If it is reported to us but is not on our land we can offer advice and assistance regarding prompt and effective treatment."

Japanese knotweed was brought to Britain by 19th century botanists.

The plant is resistant to ordinary methods of weed control. Cutting it, digging it up or treating it with normal weedkiller only spreads it further and faster.

The weed has also caused property deals to fail, and some lenders refuse to give mortgages on affected homes.