Ragwort one of the 5 dangerous plants.

Ragwort- what is it?

A yellow wild flower that grows along the grassy banks of the road and in fields or
It’s a poisonous yellow injurious weed that causes horses and livestock to die a slow and painful death.

my view is that its a weed that council and landowners need to control.

Defra’s guidelines are that land owners must treat land infested by ragwort.
In many cases, the landowner will be the local council or highway departments, they should always investigate any reports of ragwort and will take the necessary steps to destroy it, however it is up to YOU to report it.

Highways Agency -08457 50 40 30 (motorways and truck roads)
Network Rail- 08457 11 41 41(railway land and embankments)
Or stoke-on-trent city council –
Streetscene and Waste Contact
You can contact us on 234000 for any issues to do with streetscene and waste services, these include:

street cleaning including weeds and trees services
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
or email enquiries@stoke.gov.uk

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/wildlife/management/weeds/index.htm

http://www.theragworthub.co.uk/home/?PHPSESSID=a0ba5ef04ab0b64accfea7f86...

living in a city you might think it doesnt matter about this plant growing along the road side or in the play fields, but it does the seeds get carried by winds and will come to grow in the areas that horses are kept.
you will see this plant growing along the whole length of A500. and on the islands of roundabouts in the city please contact the right departments to control this weed.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/docs/forms/weedsact/WEED2A.pdf
defra will not accept emails complaining about ragwort- you have to fill in a complaints form.

the other four plants on the weed act 1959are-
Spear thistle.
|Creeping of the field Thistle
Broad Leaved dock
Curled dock.