Residents call on council to act as Bracknell infested by rats
Several areas are said to be affected, including Larks Hill Park in
Warfield, Watersplash Lane, Mill Pond, Martins Heron, North Lake and
South Hill Park.
People have also spotted the rodents coming out of the hedges at the former Homebase site in Wokingham Road.
It is believed the rats are breeding here because of milder winters
and rich food sources, however a single source of the problem has not
been identified.
Villagers have reported seeing rats as big as 30cm in length,
including in broad daylight, with one resident claiming she saw 20
during one outing when she took her dog for a walk.
People have also raised fears about letting their children play or cycle in the area because of the increasing population.
David Perez, 40, of the Orchids estate, said: "Twenty neighbours have reported it to the council.
"There [are many] coming from Lark Hill and they are in Watersplash Lane.
"That road is infested with rats. They are huge.
"The issue is in Warfield Primary School and it’s used on a daily basis for the school run.
"It has been going on for a few months."
Mr Perez, who has two children, said he is worried the rat population will reach his estate.
He has reported the issued using the council's online form on their website.
He said: "They must be multiplying because it has become a real problem.
"I'm worried they are going to go to the estate looking for food.
"Our kids cycle in that area but we are not letting them now because it is a big problem.
"I used to walk my dog there but I am not taking that path anymore. They might have rabies."
Concerns have also been raised about rats breeding in Mill Pond, which has caused worry among residents.
Isabella Lloyd, who lives in Wildridings, said: "There are so many rats in Mill Pond especially near the McDonald's.
"I've seen massive grey rats with their large tails running across the
park into the water and they gross me out when I am walking my dog.
"It just makes me worried about all of the germs they carry especially as so many children play at the park there."
Another resident, who wished to be anonymous, said the rats in Mill
Pond 'run in front' of people's feet and that she sees them in large
groups.
She said: "I walk down Moor Pond and there are a lot of them. They are not even bothered.
"It's every single day [I see them].
"I am now worried about taking the dog out there.
"I have walked around there for years and I have lived in the same house for 16 years.
"This year they are unbelievable.
"I never used to see rats but now there are 20 at a time, maybe even more.
"The problem has exploded.
"One side of the Mill Pond is marsh and they have all been hiding in there.
"That was my first assumption. But even on the other side the rats are
everywhere. I do not know how the council would tackle that. These
things do carry diseases."
The mum, who lives in Fountains Garth, added that is makes her feel
'uncomfortable' and has become more wary about letting her son visit the
nearby skatepark.
She added: "It’s awful. It seems bizarre (how many there are)."
Another resident said the rats chewed through the wooden supports of her windows and through the base of her brick wall.
She said: "We needed to fill the hole with poison and cement to stop them.
"They are also in Braybrooke Park around the pond.
"We think that keeping chickens also attracts them on Garth."
Stephen Chown, head of natural estates at Bracknell Forest Council, said they are investigating concerns 'where appropriate'.
He said: “We are aware of reports of rat sightings in several
locations across Bracknell Forest in recent months, including parks and
open spaces.
“Rats are common in both urban and semi-rural areas.
"They are usually attracted to places where food and shelter are available.
"This can include areas with accessible waste, dense vegetation, or outbuildings.
"They are more likely to nest in sheltered locations than in open parkland.
“The council manages pest issues on land it owns or maintains.
"Where rat activity is identified, action can be taken. In some areas,
particularly newer developments, land remains the responsibility of
developers or management companies.
"In those cases, they are responsible for pest control.
“We will continue to monitor the situation at our sites, and carry out checks in areas where concerns have been raised.
"We also encourage residents to reduce potential food sources, such as unsecured waste or bird feeders.”
The Public Protection Partnership has said they have noticed a 'high
number of queries' regarding the rat issue and advise residents to
report it to the council using their online form.