AN URGENT Japanese knotweed warning has been issued after a pensioner's home was ravaged.
Richard Pember, 74, fears his property in Pontypridd, South Wales, will depreciate in value after the invasive plant wreaked havoc on his gaff.
The sweeping infestation reportedly spread from a railway line behind Richard's house in 2016 and eventually slithered into his garden, MailOnline reported.
In a few short years, the pesky plant grew by 20 feet, completely engulfing his home.
Despite efforts to contain the plant's rapid growth, Richard admits he will likely need to fork out at least £800 for each treatment.
Richard said: "My message to others who might have a similar Japanese knotweed infestation is, get it sorted quickly otherwise you'll pay the price.
read more news
Cops release CCTV of man after woman sexually assaulted in station toilet
Largest Labour council is effectively bankrupt & stops all but essential spending
"Also, if you're about to buy a house, make sure it's not there to begin with.
"When it began coming closer to the house, I was worried because I thought it was definitely coming inside.
"My son has since had the garden renovated, but it has already started coming back and it might not go away for years.
"The Japanese knotweed has left destruction in its path to the point where a graveyard local to the property is completely covered in it.
Most read in The Sun
Adam Peaty in horror punch-up with Team GB teammate over ex-girlfriend jibe
Arsenal fan who headbutted Keane unmasked as dad who 'broke nose' in attack
Liverpool offered world-record £215M for Salah transfer by Al-Ittihad
International footballer, 26, shot dead and 7 others hurt in horror gun attack
"You can't even see the gravestones anymore which is really sad".
However, while that risk remains, Transport for Wales (TfW) were legally ordered to pay the pensioner almost £10,000 in damages.
The railway board, which was responsible for the land where the weed began to sprout, failed to adequately treat the growth which caused the nightmare growth, a court was told.
"It started off so small that I didn't think anything of it," said Richard.
"Then it just grew from nowhere to a point where it was almost coming inside the property.
"You hear stories about this stuff completely taking over homes and I was terrified that might happen to mine.
"It has massively devalued the house in my opinion because nobody wants to move into a property that has a Japanese knotweed infestation.
"It's like living with a monster that always comes back."
A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said: "TfW is naturally disappointed with this court result given the facts as presented to the court.
"TfW has categorically not failed in treating the Japanese knotweed on its land and has a thorough and effective treatment programme in place across the whole of the Core Valley Lines network where this property neighbours.
"In this instance the court found for the claimant on the tenuous basis of a single missing documentary record.
"Neither TfW nor Network Rail (from whom Transport for Wales purchased the Core Valley Lines on 28 March 2020) accept that a treatment itself was missed.
Read More on The Sun
EastEnders legend set for exit after 38 years
Adam Peaty in horror punch-up with Team GB teammate over ex-girlfriend jibe
"An appeal was considered but on this occasion was not pursued."
Source: Read Full Article