AN aggressive superweed which has invaded a Sidmouth beauty spot is to be eradicated.
AN aggressive superweed which has invaded a Sidmouth beauty spot is to be eradicated.
Concerned Sidmouth resident Michael Crane contacted the Herald this week after spotting Japanese Knotweed in the Byes.
He said: "I noticed it a couple of weeks ago and I reported it to Devon County Council's environment department.
"I went away on work and when I came back the problem was worse. Unless somebody does something it could have a significant impact on the habitat on the River Sid"
A spokesperson for East Devon District Council, which owns the land, said it was aware of the new occurrence and an order to control three known areas of the weed in Sidmouth, including two in the Byes and one in the Knapp, was issued last week to a specialist contractor.
He added: "The Japanese Knotweed on the eastern riverbank had been washed down from private land upstream. It has really taken root and is spreading.
"Based on previous experience with this plant, control will take two to three years to be fully effective - 100% eradication. In the past five years, we have successfully dealt with about 10 Japanese Knotweed sites on EDDC-owned land.
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