Reading council seeking to curb ‘massive’ rat problem

However, the council has claimed that the storage of waste is just one of a number of aspects that will be looked at to control the problem.

On Wednesday (November 18) at a meeting of the council’s housing, neighbourhoods and leisure committee, councillors received an update on work being carried out by the authority to respond to a petition submitted on October 8 from residents regarding rats.

Residents from Anstey Road, Baker Street and Howard Street composed the petition due to the rat problem, which they claimed had started to get out of control in 2014. According to the petition the issue escalated this year when rats were seen daily in the streets, in back gardens and nesting in car engines.

Food waste

In a report on the issue, Reading’s environmental health officer noted that local sewers are known to be the ultimate source of most urban rat infestations, but issued a reminder of the importance of careful disposal of food waste and other refuse.

Reading currently has no separate collection system for food waste, while residual waste and recycling are collected in wheeled bins.

The report said: “We will be doing all we can in our community to discourage food waste deposits in the street and in gardens and to promote proper and responsible use of waste bins.”

In an update from Liz Terry, lead councillor for neighbourhoods, it was stated that the key to control is via a hierarchy of measures starting with homeowners ensuring the rats cannot get into their property, denying food sources through proper waste management and removing bird feeding at night.

In addition, the council has offered to advise residents on waste management and recycling and monitor the area to ensure compliance with waste legislation, amongst various other preventative courses of action.

Commenting on the issue, Lee Marshall, chief executive officer at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee, said: “Responsible waste management starts with the householder. If people use the containers their council provides, then waste won’t be causing any potential rat problems.”