Pupils’ health 'at risk' as giant toxic weed found near school gates

Jul 7 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A GRANDFATHER this week said children’s health could be put at risk – after a giant toxic weed was found near a new £10m primary school site in Larkhall.

Andrew Byres was walking with his 15-month-old grandson Ryan when he came across an eight-feet giant hogweed plant growing near the front gates of the new Glengowan Primary School.

It stems from the railway embankment near Merryton Station and is spreading into the school grounds at the former council roads depot in Summerlee Road. If touched, spa from the plant can cause severe burns, scars for life, and hospital treatment is needed.

Andrew (67), who lives in Summerlee Estate, has called for the weed to be removed before pupils move into the school in October.

He said: “I have strong concerns about this.

“I went to the railway embankment and noticed the plant which is about seven to eight feet tall.”

“It is like something out the science fiction television programme, Day of the Triffids.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokeswoman said: “The building contractor at Glengowan Primary School is aware of the giant hogweed growing outside the school boundary on land owned by British Rail and has alerted them to this fact.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Any site where giant hogweed is found is treated with herbicide to help eradicate the plant.

“We will add this site to our treatment programme.”

Last September, councillors approved plans to transform the former council depot into a replacement Glengowan Primary School.

They approved plans to build the new two-storey school on the former depot site in Summerlee Road.

The school will cater for 400 pupils and will contain 14 classrooms and a nursery.