Gull-proof bag scheme set to take off in Weymouth and Portland (From Dorset Echo)
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Gull-proof bag scheme set to take off in Weymouth and Portland
1:00pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News
By Joanna Davis
IN THE BAG: Borough council recycling and waste management officer Anna Beech with Dave Burchill, left, and Ken Whatley
A GULL-proof bag scheme has taken off in Weymouth and Portland.
The extra-strong bags, designed to stop the birds from ripping open rubbish sacks, are to be rolled out to other areas in Weymouth and Portland after proving a success in the Park District.
They will be extended to around 2,000 properties in Melcombe Regis and Under-hill, Portland.
Weymouth and Portland borough councillors have agreed to extend the free bag scheme after residents requested it in their neighbourhood, at a total cost of £8,800.
Speaking at a meeting of the council’s management committee, Councillor Gill Taylor said: “The pilot scheme in the Park District has been ext-remely successful and has got us a lot of good publicity.
“Residents have been really pleased with it.”
Coun Kate Wheller added: “I think the bags are terrific.
“In terms of standards of cleanliness, they’ve made a real improvement.
“The street cleaners used to have to come behind the waste collection to clean up but they don’t have to any more.”
All members of the committee voted in favour of extending the scheme.
The trial began in April 2011 in the Park District as part of the Clean Streets Campaign.
The council worked with residents to find a solution to the litter problem caused by rubbish falling out of the sacks.
Park District resident Ken Whatley said he was delighted to hear the scheme would be extended.
He said: “If everybody uses the bags they are marvellous.
“You can tell the difference when they’re not used.
“I’m a great fan of the bags, they really do the job and if people use them there’s no problem with litter.
“Some people say ‘I’ve only got one bag of rubbish, there’s no point in putting it in the gull-proof bag, but it’s always worth it because the seagulls will get in anywhere.
“The other thing is that the cars are all a lot cleaner because the seagulls aren’t hanging around thinking they can get at the food.”
Rollout Before Nesting Season
THE bags are made out of strong and reusable fabric which can be folded and stored after use.
They have a lifespan of around five years.
Rollout of the scheme will begin before the next seagull nesting season in March and April next year.
The remaining part of Melcombe Regis not already covered, about 1,100 homes, will receive the bags, along with 900 properties on Portland.
A report to councillors said that Synergy Housing has offered to pay £1,200 to cover 50 per cent of the cost of initial outlay for the bags for the Verne Common Road Estate in Underhill.
