JKW, Local Authorities & Utilities

“...it’s use (Landtech’s technique) on the Porth Relief Road is the first time this technique has been tried in Wales and is a resounding success… Following initial treatment of the knotweed along the route of the road 95% has already been destroyed.” - Halcrow PLC

Note: This was from one application on a very sensitive site with the route criss crossed by mountain rivers.

We believe we are the only company in the UK to have successfully undertaken such large scale eradication schemes. Our first major project was with British Waterways and we successfully eradicated Knotweed from approx 500km of canals.

Although complete eradication takes approximately 3 years near water, it is normal to kill at least 95% from the first application.

Following the success on the canals, we were contacted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, who have one of the largest infestations in the country. In 2004 we carried out initial trials to demonstrate that the system worked then in 2005 successfully treated approximately 5 Hectares of infested land and 48km of infested road sides.

Ray Edwards, Landscape Architect for Rhondda Cynon Taf tells the story in his own words:

"We first made contact with Landtech (UK) Ltd. and were introduced to their method of Japanese Knotweed eradication in 2004. Prior to then we were following the accepted guidelines on the eradication of Japanese Knotweed which tied us down to a 5 year programme of eradication. We were finding that the process was slow, labour intensive, very hit and miss and we were beginning to think that the financial input could not be justified.

"Following discussions with Andrew Brown (Landtech) we decided to trial their approach. The trial results were truly amazing and convinced us that Landtech's approach is very effective and delivering the results for a fraction of the costs we were previously paying.

"Given the success of the trials Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council have decided to actively treat and eradicate the Japanese Knotweed growing within all areas of land within its ownership. Without, Landtech's team, knowledge and commitment to Japanese Knotweed treatment we would not be able to deliver this goal."

Landtech have developed a unique technique that complies with all chemical manufacturers label requirements. We have specialised equipment operated by highly trained, experienced staff that allows large areas to be treated at surprisingly low cost. The method we use is commercially confidential and any new clients will be asked to enter in to a confidentiality agreement.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council had tried previously to eradicate the Knotweed but had very little success at very high cost, our technique has made it economic to successfully treat the whole borough.

We have subsequently carried out similar work for Redditch Council with the same level of success although on a much smaller scale. We are currently looking at contracts with Merthyr Tydfil Council and welcome any other local authorities /utilities wanting an efficient cost effective solution to a growing problem.

The economic case for eradication

Apart from its damaging effects on the natural environment Japanese Knotweed can significantly add to the cost of land development. Excavation and removal to landfill which is required when little time is available for herbicide eradication, can run to many thousands of pounds. For the cost of taking one small site to landfill, it would often be possible to have eradicated the Knotweed from the entire local authority area, using Landtech's technique.

Insurance

Landtech carries £5 million Public Liability and £1 million Professional Indemnity so you can be confident that all of our work is fully insured.