Call for "gull-proof" bins
LOCAL residents have urged Aberdeenshire Council to help thwart the feathered litter louts who are creating a mess in Stonehaven.
Residents are fed up with seagulls raiding the bins and scattering rubbish around the town, and have appealed to the council to solve the problem by replacing the current bins with "gull-proof" ones.
They say a simple flap or lid on bins close to the chip shops along the promenade, which are being targeted by the birds, would make a huge difference in keeping the town clean and picturesque.
A local resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "On Friday, Saturday and Sundays, busy days, it is a total mess and it looks really bad. Ok, it is usually cleaned up before people see it but it is volunteers who do that. If nobody volunteered to clean it up then that mess would be seen by people when they come into the town.
"The complete solution would be to re-assess the risk of handles on bins and to install some inexpensive big wheely bins, or invest a few pounds in welding simple flaps to the existing bins.
"We are supposed to be entering an era of swinging cuts in services. Litter is one area in Stonehaven where the council has an unseen army of helpers, but their efforts are being squandered by spending their time on needless tasks which could be avoided by proper bins."
Horizon Convener Rosemary Clark said the group had been trying to solve the problem for several years and were still no further forward.
She said: "It is a big problem. The public often gets the blame for it, and of course there are people dropping litter, but the birds make it 100 times worse! The bin design is not suitable for a windy seaside location which is infested with gulls.
"I hope something comes of this as we have emailed and written many times requesting the design of the bins be changed or new purpose built, gull-proof bins installed. We would rid ourselves of two problems - litter and overpopulation of seagulls - at one fell swoop if the bins were adjusted/renewed."
Councillor Graeme Clark said: "I recently sat in Molly's restaurant and witnessed our seagull friends enter the rubbish bins and scatter the chip papers around the prom and beach area. Having seen bear-proof bins in use across Canada I am sure that we can provide suitable receptacles to keep out Stonehaven's wildlife."
Councillor Clark said he had been in touch with council officials about the problem and believed there may be some planning gain money available to purchase new bins.
He added: "I agree that replacing the bins at the chip shop area would cut out most of the mess in that area and make a big difference to keeping Stonehaven tidy."
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: "We have tried many different shapes of bins across Aberdeenshire over the years; however, we have yet to find a design that completely deters seagulls.
"We are in discussions to see if there are any further improvements we can make to our public bins."
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Weather for Stonehaven
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
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Wind direction: East
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