Giant hogweed plants by M1 and A41 left untreated

Sandy Belloni, who runs a local action group Community Connections Projects CIC, has been dealing with a giant hogweed infestation between the M1 and A41 near Bushey since 2021.

​The invasive species' sap makes skin very sensitive to sunlight, which can cause burns and recurring blisters for months and even years, according to the Woodland Trust.

He first reported the plants' presence between the major roads to National Highways in May 2021 and raised concerns on three occasions that year over their lack of action to tackle the infestation.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, he continued to chase the highways body after the hazardous plants were still not dealt with, and told the Watford Observer  he was "disappointed" with their "lack of response" at the time.

On June 5 this year, Sandy again spotted a patch that had survived chemical spraying by National Highways workers and warned the highways authority that some plants were still alive.

Giant hogweed spotted in woodland near Bushey. (Image: Sandy Belloni)

But he said it was “frustrating” that National Highways had taken weeks to treat the infestation after he was told on Monday (July 15) that it would send contractors out this week.

Sandy added: “If you look at how invasive species control works, if you don’t control it straight away, you’re going to lose control of it and it’s just going to be everywhere.”

A spokesperson for National Highways confirmed it had since sprayed the highlighted plants on Tuesday and Wednesday (July 17), with an additional inspection planned next week.
 

Sandy Belloni warned: If you don’t control it straight away, you’re going to lose control of it and it’s just going to be everywhere.” (Image: Sandy Belloni) After he contacted the highways authority on June 5, he was told contractors would be sent to deal with the infestation within days.

He later arranged a site visit for highways contractors on June 24 to show the affected areas and was again told action would be taken that week.

The locations of the hogweed infestations found by Mr Belloni. (Image: Sandy Belloni) But on July 6, the conservationist returned to find no action had been taken and claimed there were hundreds of plants in the woodland.

Around 20 had started to flower, which he warned could prolong the infestation: “When you’ve got flowering plants, what we want to do is stop them from becoming hardened seeds because then the likelihood is they will germinate again next year.

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“Every plant can produce 20,000 seeds and while only a very small percentage of those will ultimately germinate, the more we have, the more of a problem.”

He removed the heads of around 20 flowering plants to try to control the infestation. (Image: Sandy Belloni) The plants’ proximity to the major road also poses an increased risk, according to Sandy, as he said the wind movement can catch the seeds and cause them to travel even further.

The conservation worker added: “We really want them to try and get on top of it because if they don’t, then they’re just going to spread.”

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "We can confirm that action has been taken regarding the hogweed found in this location, as noted by Mr Belloni.  Following the first contact in May, which Mr Belloni made directly with the CPS environment team, the first spraying treatment took place on May 23.

"Two subsequent treatments took place on Tuesday July 16 and Wednesday July 17. An additional inspection is scheduled for next week, beginning 22nd July, where we will be able to provide a further update.

"Our process for Hogweed is standard with all injurious weeds. Once found, it is logged on our GIS system and investigated, and then the necessary works are carried out."