Concern over the presence of rats in a town centre alleyway continues with 'progress slowly being made'.
The presence of rats in Trowbridge’s Red Hat Lane, which links Castle Street to Fore Street, has been a long-running issue, with a rodent caught on camera in the alley last autumn.
After discussions at a recent Trowbridge Town Council town development committee meeting, it is apparent that solutions are still being sought.
The matter returned to the round table at a recent council meeting, with town councillors discussing the possibility of introducing a business improvement district as way to enable a more co-ordinated approach to tackling the problem.
On July 27, the committee met to discuss a number of issues, including the “live concern” over Red Hat Lane.
According to minutes from the meeting, the matter was raised by a member of the public, who identified a “continuing rat problem”.
Trowbridge’s Mayor, Cllr Stewart Palmen said that progress on resolving the rodent issue was being made, although slowly, through pest-control work and efforts by landlords to close access points used by rats.
Cllr Palmen told the committee that the problem was complicated by bin storage from several businesses and by the fact that different waste contractors collected at different times, creating an untidy and fragmented system.
Members then reportedly discussed the longer-term possibility of a business improvement district for the town centre, which could allow a more co-ordinated waste contract and a better enclosed bin-storage arrangement.
In October last year, this paper reported that rats had been spotted in the alley, and that there was a health concern over the presence of rodents in such a central part of town.
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A man who asked to be referred to only as Steve told this paper there was “a big rat problem in Trowbridge,” singling out Red Hat Lane as a prime example.
Describing the condition of the alley, he said: “I call it bin alley. There are 17 wheelie bins along there now.
“It’s not good,” he continued. “[The rats] multiply, they get more populous. They’re filthy and are a health hazard. People shouldn’t be putting their bins there. I don’t know why they do, it’s not right.”
At the time, the council said it was “actively investigating reports of rat activity in Fore Street”.
Cllr Paul Sample JP, cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, said: “Rodents are part of the wider environment, but if they become an issue affecting a property, it’s important owners take steps to deal with the problem.
“Where this doesn’t happen, the council has legal powers to require action – though our preference is always to work with people to resolve issues informally wherever possible.
“The council also offers a comprehensive pest control service. More information is available on our website.”
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