Thurso's green-fingered activist Alexander Glasgow hits back at Highland Council's 'failure' to deal with Japanese knotweed issue
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A Thurso-based green-fingered activist has slammed Highland Council for its "failure" to tackle the problem of an invasive plant along the town's river.
In response to Alexander Glasgow's queries as to why it had "allowed Japanese knotweed to re-establish itself", a Highland Council spokesperson said the local authority was already aware of the plant's presence along the riverbank and was working to alleviate the issue.
The spokesperson added: “Japanese Knotweed is a difficult plant to eradicate, and needs several treatments over a period of time for a complete kill of the plant.
"We previously treated it in the autumn of last year, and treated it again two weeks ago. We will continue to monitor and treat the knotweed with appropriate herbicides for as long as necessary to eliminate this occurrence.”
In an article we published on Wednesday, pictures sent by Mr Glasgow clearly showed that, despite Highland Council's attempt to eradicate the plant, it is now "well-established" along the banks of River Thurso once again.
One image shows a bare patch of ground where the knotweed was in abundance until council workers tried to destroy the problem plant last year. However, the "tenacious terror" – as Mr Glasgow calls it – has reemerged around the outskirts of the treated area and is also visible along further stretches of the river.
The green-fingered activist was made aware of the council's response and took issue with it saying that "failure to respond" may have allowed the plant to spread.
"Why are they not tackling it?" he wondered. "I am convinced their failure to do so at Bridge End resulted in the spread to the Mill End. Failure to do so raises major liability issues for them.
"In short, Highland Council should address these stands immediately. They have been aware of this for some years. Their failure to do so may well have led to its expansion along the river."
Mr Glasgow is currently working to bring colour to Thurso with an extensive programme of flower planting and welcomes cash donations to help with this. Donations can be handed, in a sealed envelope marked "Thurso in Colour", to the Messy Nessy play centre on Rotterdam Street. All donations will be independently verified.
Related articles:
Return of the green invader to Thurso
Unwelcome visitor in Thurso needs eradicated
