Mr Leah is one of the hundreds taking Network Rail to court over Japanese Knotweed. 'It is a really stressful situation but Network Rail don't seem to be doing anything about it.Įarlier this year MailOnline revealed that councils and Network Rail could be forced to pay up to £10million as hundreds of homeowners launch legal action after a landmark Japanese knotweed ruling. 'I can't allow my dog into the fenced off section for fear it will spread it on his paws and we can sit down there to enjoy the late evening sun because the area is an eyesore. 'I have no control over my own garden. There is no quick fix. I tried everything including cutting and burning it but it keeps coming back because it needs a proper programme to eradicate it all. He said: 'I noticed all these sprigs of something springing up everywhere and my neighbour said, ''That's Japanese knotweed, you'd better do something about it''. The 45-year-old said the 'massive problem' started when his lawn mower broke and he didn't cut the grass for a few weeks. Mr Leah's neighbours said one home was sold at a £15,000 discount because of the problem.

The weed strangles other plants and can kill entire gardens. Yet as it has no natural enemies in the UK, whereas in Asia it is controlled by fungus and insects, it has spread uncontrollably. Japanese knotweed was brought to Britain by the Victorians as an ornamental garden plant and to line railway tracks to stabilise the soil. The weed grows along the embankment at the back of Mr Leah and his neighbours' homes for around 120 yards by the railway line.

Constructing Marcus by Danielle DeVor