A river bank in Bolton is free of invasive species of Giant Hogweed after work has been carried out to protect the area.

For the past two years, Bradshaw Brook Fly Fishing Club members, supported by Bolton Green Umbrella, Bolton Council and Lancashire Wildlife Trust have been treating the Japanese Knotweed (JKW) and Giant Hogweed (GHW) on the riverbank below the Jumbles Dam.

This treatment is essential to protect the biodiversity in the area as JKW forces out all native vegetation and no insects can digest it.

John Frazer from the group, said: “Less insects mean less birds and less fish, and, as the JKW dies off in the winter, this causes the riverbank to erode at an alarming rate.

The Bolton News: Giant hogweed work at Bradshaw

“In 2022 in excess of 4,000 square metres were treated - the size of a football field, and in 2023 in excess of 9,000 square metres were treated.

“We normally achieve more than 95 percent reduction in the first year.”

After funding in 2022 was provided by the Environment Agency via a grant from the Angling Trust, and in 2023 funding was provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the treatment has worked in this area.

John said: “I can confidently state that Bradshaw Brook is the only one of the many streams in central Bolton that is free of the awful Giant Hogweed.

“If funding is provided in 2024, it is hoped to continue the treatment from Bury Road, With the support of Untied Utilities and Groundwork, the group have started to control the huge areas of Himalayan Balsam below the Jumbles Reservoir Dam.

Vickey Hill, the owner of the fields alongside Bradshaw Brook at Alders Lane said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank John and the team for the recent work that was undertaken to remove the Japanese Knotweed that has taken over on our river banking.

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READ MORE: Bradshaw Brook volunteers to tackle Himalayan Balsam

“From initial contact to propose the scheme and ongoing consultation of the task in hand the team did an excellent job in attending site over a number of days, adhering to all security measures for accessing the land, relevant PPE requirements and most importantly treating the problem areas effectively and with great success.

“I’m extremely grateful for this initiative being offered to me and hope it can continue on, so the weed is totally eradicated in the area.

“Once again thanks for a job well done.”

The group will now look to continue their work to eradicate more invasive species.