In a knot over the Japanese weed

The problem of Japanese Knotweed was once again discussed at the September meeting of the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District.

It was Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) who raised the matter in Belturbet’s Town Hall on Friday while welcoming the latest update on the road works carried out across the district in recent months.

Cllr Fay pointed to how members of the Belturbet Tidy Towns group had asked him to highlight the difficulties they are facing in their endeavours to keep the town clean and tidy with Japanese Knotweed.

“This needs to be dealt with; it’s causing problems for Tidy Towns members,” he said to Cavan County Council’s Executive before adding that it's been a source of great annoyance for the last number of years.

Cllr Áine Smith (FF) also brought the growth of the weed at Caffrey’s Cross to members’ attention.

She indicated that it was being treated but highlighted how hedges in the area should be cut and there were landowners who would need to be “reminded” about their responsibilities in respect of that.

Paul Murphy, local authority engineer, told those gathered at the meeting that the knotweed is “extensive” with much of it requiring annual maintenance.

“We do need to look at it from a resource point of view,” he continued before adding that a specific area in Ballyconnell - which has received “numerous treatments" - is still there.

Japanese Knotweed grows at a staggering rate, reportedly up to 20cm every day, and can even burst through tarmac and concrete and undermine properties. To make matters worse, its roots can reach 3m deep.

“It takes time to deal with Japanese Knotweed,” explained Mr Murphy.