Perth city centre is being blighted by unsightly rubbish strewn across its streets by hungry gulls, it has been claimed.
Businesses and residents have hit out after being met with items that have been pulled from bins and bags by the birds, leaving a trail of mess across many pavements.
The matter has been raised before with Perth and Kinross Council but James Sadler, 46, a surveyor who works in Perth city centre, said he is “fed up” having to walk past the rubbish on his way to work around 8am in the morning.
“The council issue these flimsy pink plastic rubbish bags which the seagulls peck until they find their way into them and then we are left with a totally unsightly mess across many of our well-known roads,” he said.
“It happens every week and I’ve seen all sorts of items, ranging from milk cartons, beer bottles, general household rubbish to used condoms.
“It’s a total disgrace and what then happens is you have several council street cleaners desperately trying to get rid of the mess before the majority of workers and shoppers arrive in the city centre around 9am.”
He continued: “I don’t know why the council can’t issue businesses and flat owners with proper bins so the rubbish is out of sight. The mess created by the gulls is horrible and you could easily slip or fall as there is stuff strewn all over the likes of George Street and the High Street.
“It creates a horrible impression of our city and it is time the council did something about it.”
And Rab Ogilvie, 27, of George Street, Perth, agreed it is time to tackle the problem.
“We put out our bin bags first thing in the morning but within minutes the seagulls swoop down and start pecking away at them – it doesn’t take much to rip the bags open,” he commented.
“There must be a better way of collecting the rubbish then handing out cheap bin bags to householders and businesses if this is going to happen every week.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said the local authority is aware of the issues surrounding the refuse sacks in Perth city centre.
“Unfortunately, it’s not possible to provide wheelie bins to all city centre properties, as quite often there is insufficient space for the bins to be stored in-between collections.
“When a premise is on a refuse sack system we ask that the bags are put out by 7.30am on the day of collection. Any residents presenting their waste too early for collection are brought to our attention and will receive a letter to remind them of the correct procedures.”
She added: “The council is also looking to further expand the use of communal refuse containers for residents and businesses on sack collections, following a successful year-long trial in New Row and Scott Street Perth.
“Further locations will be chosen and consultations with residents and businesses will follow.”