A campaign to clear clumps of toxic and destructive non-native weeds which are threatening to ruin the River Bollin’s eco-system has been launched.
The river which runs from the Macclesfield Forest to the Ship Canal at Warburton and flows under the runway at Manchester Airport, is being coordinated by Bollin Environmental Action and Conservation (BEACON) and aims to control the destructive invasive weeds which are proliferating like mad in the 200 sq.km River Bollin Valley in Cheshire.
BEACON aims to preserve the natural environment in the area, for the thousands of city dwellers who enjoy the River Bollin as a valuable social amenity, for dog-walking, recreation, teaching kids about the countryside or who simply enjoy a breath of fresh air in the natural world.
We’re making good progress, large tracts of the accessible paths around the river are relatively clear of the three main culprits but the less accessible stretches are still ‘seed factories’ for the invaders. After years of work, it would be tragic to see these pervasive weeds regain control, disrupting the plant, insect, bird and other wildlife’ lifecycles.
The river valley has been inundated with Giant Hogweed, a highly toxic weed that grows to 3m high. Nothing grows beneath its huge leaves, the size of doormats. Contact with the sap can cause skin injuries lasting 6 years, particularly in children and Japanese Knotweed and Giant Japanese Knotweed.
This infamous plant sends rhizomes 3m into the earth and can only be removed by chemical means. It’s so destructive even Japanese Knotweed waste matter cannot be deposited anywhere legally. It has to be incinerated.
It can also destroy property values, as it can grow though 20cm-thick reinforced concrete, roads, paths, runways and foundations.
