Stephen Burns, Mourne’s Sinn Féin councillor, has asked TransportNI to urgently deal with an invasive plant which is threatening a local property.
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Invasive species in County Down – Japanese Knotweed pictured in winter showing the bamboo-like stems..[/caption]
He said: “Japanese Knotweed has been detected on the verge of the Ballynahinch Road just outside 
Drumaroad. The plant has quickly spread into neighbouring field, and is now threatening a local 
property.
“Japanese Knotweed is a hardy bamboo like plant that was imported from Japan in the 1850’s. 
This weed causes many problems on development sites and residential gardens, where it 
colonises land very rapidly.
“It is imperative that Transport NI move quickly to treat and dispose of this plant. There is a real risk 
to a neighbouring property and I’m calling for action before serious damage occurs.
“Transport NI have a duty to dispose the Knotweed properly as it has clearly emanated from
their property, and I intend to make them honour this obligation,”  added Cllr Burns.]]>
