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@uberpod That seems to be the case. The council is only making the right of way safe but the landowner is still allowing the plants to grow nearby. So every year thousands of seeds get scattered. The law is not strong on the obligations of landowners to remove the plant.
There is no legal obligation to remove or treat giant hogweed as long as the landowner or occupier is not encouraging or allowing the growth on to adjacent land.
However, enforcement action could be taken against the landowner.
If the plant is obstructing a public footpath or otherwise can be deemed to be presenting a risk to human health local councils also have powers to compel landowners and occupiers to take action to avoid causing harm. Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows for enforcement action to be taken where the giant hogweed is, or is likely to be, prejudicial to health.
So allowing it to grow next to or across a bridleway would present a risk to human health.
In 2013 the UK government decreed that anyone failing to control giant hogweed (and other invasive weeds) could receive an anti-social behaviour order. It will be seen as committing a criminal offence. For an individual on-the-spot penalties of £100 can be issued, if prosecuted fines of up to £2500 and for companies up to £20,000.
So Surrey CC could do a number of things to force the landowner to take action. But I think it is likely that the local authority being strapped for cash (like most LAs) find it more cost-effective in the short-term to clear the plants from the bridleway with their own contractor rather than paying lawyers to take action against the landowner.
If you see GH while out biking please note the grid ref or location and report it.
We have this here and there around Berlin. But it was also about in SW England before I moved. Last year, I nearly rode into a few of these plants in high summer... so I made a mental note and went back in early spring and bashed them down with a long branch. Hopefully this has stunted them a bit and I will keep on doing it until the plants are gone. Unfortunately, there is a huge patch about 600m away from that patch, but I dont ride through there.
If everybody on here learnt what it looks like - particularly in spring, then a little vigilantism on the trails could help keep it under control. It may be a crime to spread the seed, but to bash down the plants when young shouldn't apply?
@bratty It would be better to note the exact location - co-ordinates, grid ref, etc - and report it to the rights of way officer at the local council and make others aware of it via social media and put a note on a fence post. If you are going to bash it with a branch (and I do not recommend you do this) you should have protective clothing including goggles. I'd say leave well alone and report it.
It’s worth noting that it’s not only the giant variety than can cause burns, quite a few other plants do similar things although giant hogweed is undoubtedly the worst.
https://commonsensehome.com/phytophotodermatitis/
I now avoid anything with little white flowers!
This is pretty scary stuff. Thankfully I haven't seen this where I am (North London bordering into Hertfordshire)
Being able to spot the tall ones seems pretty obvious, there's little else that huge, I guess the problem is when small and on it's way up - no chance of me spotting it then.
Worst we have is brambles and nettles, which regularly seem to shred my arms and legs
Not just the plants out for us. Oak Processionary Moth Caterpillars are pretty nasty and are present in Surrey, living in oak trees. Toxic hairs that cause rashes and breathing difficulties and they can spread on the wind or brushing past.
Not just the plants out for us.
So the advice is to get a Turbo Trainer and stay safely indoors?
😉
Three of four of us who did the South Downs Way in a day last Saturday have blisters from brushing against giant hogweed somewhere along the route. Fairly unpleasant surprise to see a burn on my wrist on Monday morning, but the other two have several really sizeable blisters about 5cm across. Annoyingly I didn't note down where I saw tall white blooms (Which I'd assumed were cow parsley) - be aware if you're on the SDW.
On a kinda related note, a friend of mine who lives in Queensland came off his bike the other year into a Gympie Gympie Bush. He still feels pain where he was stung after all this time.
Apparently the only treatment that can help is washing the site with dilute hydrochloric acid and then using waxing strips to try and get the plant stingers out!
There are stories of a military officer, who was stung by a gympie gympie during WW2, shooting himself due to the pain being so unbearable!
Another reason not to go to Australia!