I believe the plant has 'fasciation' and is therefore atypical. My best guess from the picture is that it is Chicory, Cichorium intybus. But I can't see any 'normal' leaves or flowers to be sure.

BTW, I can tell you're in the UK from the picture and the use of language but most people on this forum are in the US so it is always helpful to state where the plant in question is growing. Just for future reference.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fasciation

Good guess. I am from the uk. From the Cheshire area so north west England. I had no luck on local forums so decided to try a bit further afield. I have tried to take a closer picture of the leaves/flowers to see if that is any help in identifying it

i agree on chicory ...

and i agree something is weird about it ...

the indians used its roots as a coffee type drink .. if i recall ...

they line thousands of miles of MIchigan roadways ... even high salt road sides [winter salt use on roads] ..... cant set these things back ...

ken

Yes - fasciated Chicory. It's distorted and atypical. Google Chicory (wild flower, not vegetable) to see what it should look like. It's a British wild flower, not ubiquitous but not rare either. However, yours may have come from seed sold for the vegetable. They're the same plant just bred to produce bigger, better Chicory leaves.

I'm in SW UK.

It's great to finally put a name to it, it's baffled us for a while. Thank you all for your help. It's appreciated x