Concerns over pest problem
Maidenhead: ‘Hordes of rats’ spotted near to shops
Investigations rumble on to determine who is responsible for the land where ‘hordes’ of rats have been spotted in north Maidenhead.
Concerns were raised by residents at Shifford Crescent over ‘hordes’ of rats spotted to the rear of the parade of shops there, creating an ‘unsightly’ environment.
The parade contains a restaurant, coffee shop, pharmacy, supermarket and is near a pre-school.
Staff at the Age Concern in the Crescent confirmed they have seen ‘big rats’ scurrying around the bins at the back of the shops for about two to three months, but this has mercifully not affected the charity shop.
Poppies Maidenhead Day Nursery & Pre-School said it understands the problem is stemming from ‘the wasteland at the back’ of the parade, and says it has contacted the Royal Borough itself about the problem.
The pre-school is also not having a personal problem with the rats.
Sorbon Estates (part of Shanly Group) is responsible for this parade of shops.
Responding to concerns raised, Guy Thomas, property and asset manager at Sorbon, wrote: “We understand and share your concern regarding the rat issue near Shifford Crescent.
“We already have a pest control contract in place and have taken additional action to tackle the current issue.
“Our efforts include jet washing the bin areas, trimming overgrowth on our property, highlighting the issue to our pest control contractors resulting in additional attendances, conducting regular inspections, and maintaining open communication with our tenants.”
He added that the rats ‘may nest in land owned by the council to the rear of the parade of shops’.
“Whilst we have our part to play in ensuring that our property is not a feeding ground for the rats, we wholeheartedly support a collaborative approach with the council to effectively eradicate this problem,” Mr Thomas said.
“Rest assured, we are prioritising this matter to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.”
A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of this issue and an officer from our environmental health service visited the location this week as part of ascertaining, in the first instance, who owns the land where the rats are apparently nesting. If the land is council-owned, we will take the required action, liaising with others in the area as necessary.
“If the land is privatelyowned and there is evidence of nesting, the responsibility falls to the private owner and we can use our powers, if needed, to require the landowner to take action.
“We are ready to work constructively with the property owners and tenants to address the problem as soon as possible.”