Charity Battles to Halt Relentless Knotweed Takeover of River Roding

As of September 27th, 2025, a massive three-mile Japanese knotweed jungle along the River Roding in east London is feared to be the biggest in Britain, posing a serious threat to nearby homes. The invasive plant has been exploding along the riverbank for years, intertwining with native reeds and causing ecological havoc.

Volunteers at a charity tasked with preserving the river are working tirelessly to try and stop the knotweed's relentless spread. They are spraying the plants with glyphosate, a controversial but effective herbicide, in a race against time before the first frost hits. However, without the help of government agencies like DEFRA and the Environment Agency, their efforts may not be enough to contain the rapidly growing knotweed jungle.

The knotweed is encroaching on a series of new-build estates just yards from the river, and local residents are unaware of the danger lurking on their doorstep. Experts warn that the knotweed could make the surrounding properties unsellable, costing homeowners thousands in damages and removal costs. The charity estimates that clearing the entire affected area would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, a burden that falls on the local community.