Falkirk residents report rats on the loose in streets and gardens
Residents in two areas of Falkirk have voiced concerns about the problem of rats in their neighbourhoods – and what they claim is a lack of action to tackle the problem by the local council.
Neighbours living in Denny and Bantaskine have both highlighted the issue in recent weeks. Householders in Mackay Gardens, Bantaskine say the long tailed pests have been appearing with more frequency and contacted Falkirk Council to see if anything can be done.
One horrified resident told the Falkirk Herald: “I took a video of rats in my garden and, after talking to neighbours and looking on Bantaskine Facebook pages, I found out the council has been aware of this rat issue for months.
"I was appalled to have to phone and ask for help about this. Seriously, would you like to be frightened to open windows and doors.
"As far as I can make out the council has been aware for months about this and now it’s got way out of control.”
Things have stepped up a gear in Little Denny Road, in Denny, with residents actually putting in a complaint against the local authority.
A resident said: “We’re frustrated and want to expose a severe public health crisis that Falkirk Council is actively attempting to sweep under the rug.
"For weeks, residents have been dealing with raw waste spilling onto the streets and an established rat colony directly adjacent to a ‘School Zone'.
"The council's response has been a mix of automated ticket closures, cosmetic clean-ups, and a complete failure to enforce tenancy rules. This is a town-wide biohazard, not an isolated incident.
"Multiple residents are reporting rats ‘in broad daylight’ in the communal bins, rats running across paths, and even dead rats found in Junction Park. We are refusing to be ignored any longer.”
As a solution to the complaint, the residents want the immediate installation of lockable communal bins “to cure the admitted infrastructure deficit and prevent further fly-tipping".
They have provided the local authority with photographic evidence of people fly-tipping and want enforcement action to be taken against them, as well as “proactive pest eradication” in communal areas.
Falkirk Council said it was aware of the issues in both areas identified.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns that have been raised regarding pest activity in parts of Bantaskine and the Little Denny Road area. We take all reports of pest activity and environmental concerns seriously and investigate all reports received.
“We are working with waste services to address issues that have been identified within a small area of Bantaskine. This work includes reviewing environmental factors that may contribute to pest activity and taking appropriate action where necessary.
"The situation continues to be monitored, and council services will work together to minimise any impact on tenants.”
The council says that there have been reports of vermin infestations received from tenants within the Little Denny Road block concerned.
The spokesperson added: "However, we have asked our specialist pest control contractors to undertake precautionary checks.
"Tenants can also help reduce the likelihood of pest activity by ensuring waste is disposed of correctly, bin lids are kept closed, and accumulations of waste, clutter or other materials that may provide shelter for rodents are avoided.
“We will continue to monitor these areas, maintain communal bin facilities, address side waste, and fly-tipping, and promote responsible waste disposal and recycling.”