Latest news with #propertyDamage
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
The top 10 japanese knotweed hotspots in Wales have been revealed
The "top ten" locations in Wales affected by Japanese knotweed have been identified. As the growing season for Japanese knotweed is in full swing, this invasive species can cause damage to properties, patios, paving and decrease the value of land. Invasive plant expert Environet has now disclosed the Welsh areas most affected by knotweed in 2025, using the latest figures from its online heatmap tool, Exposed: The Japanese Knotweed Heatmap. In total, there are 31,338 confirmed sightings of knotweed across Wales, equating to 3.9 instances per square mile, which is significantly higher than England's rate of 1.1 instances per square mile. Now featuring more than 100,000 recorded instances of the UK's most pervasive plant, the map is updated with new confirmed sightings throughout the year, offering the most thorough online record of Japanese knotweed in the country. READ MORE: Man beat up, stripped naked and 'paraded' through village while people filmed act of humiliation READ MORE: Man suffers multiple stab wounds as police make public plea The public can input their postcode to find out the number of sightings in their vicinity, with high-risk areas marked in yellow, orange or, in severe cases, red. This helps them gauge the potential risk to their property or one they're considering purchasing. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here They can also contribute to the heatmap by reporting knotweed infestations using the 'Add Sighting' function and attaching a photo of the plant for expert verification. The data shows the worst places in Wales are Newport city, Cardiff city and Swansea city. Wales' Top 10 Japanese knotweed hotspots for 2025 are: Incidences 1. Newport city - 1,239 2. Cardiff city - 949 3. Swansea city - 936 4. Llanelli, Carmarthenshire - 693 5. Betws-y-Coed, Conwy - 421 6. Neath, Neath Port Talbot - 396 7. Dolwyddelan, Conwy - 298 8. Llanafan, Ceredigion - 289 9. Rogerstone, Newport - 268 10. Tanygrisiau, Gwynedd - 254 Japanese knotweed made its debut in Britain during the Victorian era, arriving in a collection of plant specimens sent to Kew Gardens and was swiftly embraced by gardeners and horticulturalists who remained oblivious to its destructive potential. The plant starts sprouting in early spring, rapidly developing into dense green bushes featuring pink-speckled stems, heart-shaped foliage and bamboo-style canes. However, it can create significant headaches for property owners. Its subterranean root system can extend up to three metres downwards and stretch up to seven metres sideways, pushing through gaps in concrete, tarmac drives, walkways, drainage systems and cavity walls. Whilst severe property damage remains uncommon, mortgage providers demand knotweed treatment before property sales, potentially triggering neighbourhood disputes and reducing property values by roughly five per cent, according to Environet. A 2023 DEFRA study estimated the expense of addressing knotweed costs the UK economy almost £250 million annually. Environet Director Emily Grant commented: "By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment. "Vigilance is the best way to protect your property from Japanese knotweed, making sure you tackle it as early as possible before it becomes well established. At this time of year, knotweed is in full growth mode and easy to spot with its bright green heart-shaped leaves which grow in a zigzag pattern up the stems. "Mature plants flower around August, when they produce clusters of tiny white blooms." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Invasive plant grips Oxfordshire as warning is issued
Experts have warned about Japanese knotweed invading Oxfordshire Japanese knotweed first arrived in UK in the Victorian times and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Since then it has spread widely and can pose serious problems for homeowners. Underground rhizomes can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. READ MORE: While serious damage to property is rare, since mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value by approximately five per cent. There are a total of 394 verified knotweed sightings in Oxfordshire, or 0.39 incidences in every square mile. A map by invasive plant specialist Environet has revealed where the hotspots of Japanese knotweed are in Oxfordshire. The most are in Oxford where 85 incidences of Japanese knotweed were reported. In Banbury that is 27, Henley has 26, Bicester has 25 and Chipping Norton has 23. Meanwhile in Wllingford there are 17 incidences of Japanese knotweed followed closely by Kidlington at 16, 13 in Abingdon and 11 in both Woodstock and Witney. Map showing where the knotweed is at its worse (Image: Environet) Environet director Emily Grant said: 'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment. 'Vigilance is the best way to protect your property from Japanese knotweed, making sure you tackle it as early as possible before it becomes well established. 'At this time of year, knotweed is in full growth mode and easy to spot with its bright green heart-shaped leaves which grow in a zigzag pattern up the stems. 'Mature plants flower around August, when they produce clusters of tiny white blooms. 'If you do suspect you have knotweed on or near your property, you can email a photo to us at expert@ and we'll identify it for free. 'If it is knotweed, a survey will determine the extent of the infestation and the best way to treat it, whether that's digging it out of the ground, herbicide treating it or a combination of both. 'Public engagement is key in the fight against knotweed, and by reporting new sightings homeowners can play an important role in controlling this invasive plant and protecting property values.' Knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. A 2023 DEFRA report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the UK economy at nearly £250 million a year.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Kansas City woman loses family home, $32K after contractor ruins house
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City woman is out more than $30,000 and the house she once called home is now unrecognizable – gutted, dangerous and possibly unsalvageable. Felicia Safir, 71, is a lifelong music teacher. But in 2023, she decided it was time to downsize from the home that had been in her family for generations, a house her aunt once proudly owned as one of the first Black homeowners on the block. To prepare it for sale, Safir hired contractor David Lyman. Blue Springs kids play space, venue encourages creativity and connection She took out a $40,000 loan and paid his company $32,500 to complete a wide range of repairs — roofing, electrical, flooring and walls, all spelled out in a signed contract FOX4 obtained. What she got in return left her in tears. 'When I came into the house and saw what he had done. Stealing things and damaging the property. All I could do was sit on the steps and cry,' Safir told FOX4. Inside the home, floors have been ripped out and replaced with unsafe plywood. Walls are missing. Electrical wiring has been stripped. A chandelier — gone. And the bathroom? Nothing but framing. Safir, who is disabled, says even the access ramp she relied on to enter her home has vanished. She calls Lyman not just a bad contractor, but a thief. Missouri making changes to temporary tag, vehicle registrations next month FOX4 tried calling Lyman multiple times. He picked up on the third try but declined to answer questions, only telling us to look at the new roof. That roof, however, is already falling apart. Two years later, Safir is still struggling to pick up the pieces. But now she's getting help from local realtor Danny Tipton, who stepped in to help her sell the home to a rehabber. The sale is expected to close soon, just enough to repay the loan. 'Do you think this was a bad repairman or a thief?' FOX4 asked. 'I think he was a thief,' Safir replied. Now, she's sharing her story as a warning to others to make sure you know who's working on your home and hold them accountable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
07-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
North Carolina also hit with life-threatening flash floods
More than 5 million people were under flood alerts across North Carolina and Virginia after Chantal made landfall early Sunday, damaging properties and prompting rescue efforts.
CNN
07-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
North Carolina also hit with life-threatening flash floods
More than 5 million people were under flood alerts across North Carolina and Virginia after Chantal made landfall early Sunday, damaging properties and prompting rescue efforts.
