£40,000 bid for new plan to tackle gull problems in Worcester
The number of breeding gulls in the city has caused many problems for Worcester residents
A new plan to tackle the number of gulls nesting in Worcester next year will be considered by the Council - including boosting spending by £40,000.
The number of breeding gulls in the city has caused many problems for Worcester residents and businesses, including the birds swooping down on people.
Also, the gulls frequently call out noisily early in the morning, interrupting sleep, and deposit large amounts of mess on pavements, buildings and unlucky passers-by.
The City Council's Environment Committee will look into:
- the creation of three gull nest exclusion zones
- subsidising property owners to make their buildings "gull-proof"
- and, campaigning for a change to the national rules that limit what can be done to control gulls
Councillor Andy Stafford said: "There are only a few gulls left in the city at this time of year, but everyone in the city knows that when they return in the spring for the nesting season they once again become both a pest and, in some cases, a direct threat to public health and safety.
"Earlier this year we doubled the budget to tackle the problems they cause to £60,000 and now is the time when we have to start planning for their return so that we make sure there are fewer breeding pairs in 2022."
Which areas would the gull nest exclusion zones cover?
The experimental gull nest exclusion zones would cover The Tything, at Weir Lane/Lower Wick and around Fish Street and Copenhagen Street in the city centre.
The idea is to ensure there are no nesting gulls whatsoever in these zones, with a range of actions being taken to achieve this – including installing spikes, netting, and wire-mesh cages at popular nesting spots.
This scheme would be dependent on businesses and residents in the three areas being prepared to work with the Council.
To deliver the proposals, the Environment Committee will be asked to support a further £40,000 increase in the gull control budget, with the 2022 plan estimated to cost £74,500.
The 2022 action plan would build on the successful work to control the birds' population this year, which has included the licenced removal of 141 nests and 223 eggs and the "rescue" of 29 chicks.
The Environment Committee will meet at the Guildhall at 7pm on Tuesday 2nd November.