Locals Identify Gulls As Their Number One Bath Problem

Local residents in the City of Bath have identified the ongoing gull problem as being their number one issue across the area in a recent poll that we conducted.

This is an issue that has widely been publicised over the past few weeks, with more rubbish being strewn across the streets than usual. Residents have been taking to social network sites to ask the Council what they are doing to prevent the gulls, with answers often leading to intense debates between various political party members across the area.

We reported last week how Bath and North East Somerset Council has been accused of ‘failing badly’ in its attempts to tackle Bath’s litter and gull problems, after they reaffirmed the measures they are taking with a reminder that it is local people who can do most to stop the menace caused by these birds.

A reduction of litter bins across the area, as well as the public not taking up the use of gull-proof rubbish bags have been blamed by some for the problem.

The main cause is rubbish being left out overnight on streets which is then easy picking for the gulls, with rubbish being strewn across the streets in the early hours.

Conservatives have called on the Council to take a tougher stance against businesses who leave their commercial waste on city centre streets for long periods of time and encourage them to use gull-proof containers rather than thin plastic sacks.

Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said, “The Council is battling against the forces of nature as we combat the problem of urban gulls. But residents and visitors to the city must also be proactive in doing their best to stop their supply of food.

“Our message is very clear. Don’t feed or encourage gulls by dropping food or feeding them scraps. Dispose of your litter responsibly in litter bins or take the litter home with you. And use the food waste collection service where it is provided by the Council as part of your weekly waste collection. Those people who don’t receive this but have a Council provided gull proof sack should use that.

“Businesses must also play their part by putting their waste out at the correct time which will help. Our enforcement action against repeat offenders is starting to get the message across that anyone who puts out waste overnight is part of the problem.”

Steps being taken by the Council to eliminate the problem include using special gel that changes the behaviour of the gulls, new bins which aren’t accessible by the gulls, an extension of impenetrable rubbish sacks, street washing and enforcement against businesses putting their rubbish out early.

We asked local people in our poll what they felt they biggest issue in Bath was, out of five potential answers. These included; the ongoing gull problem, the growing amount of coffee shops, the lack of ‘budget’ shopping, the number of homeless residents and the large amounts of litter.

Homeless residents in the city were identified as the second most important problem.