Glasgow's Alexandra Park branded 'no-go zone' over rat infestation problems

That’s the view of union leaders and opposition politicians, who have shared their fury after footage emerged of a pack of the rodents making its way through a Dennistoun green space. 

Images shared exclusively with us yesterday showed the vermin moving from Alexandra Park’s pond towards the children’s play area. 

Described as “huge” and by one eye-witness as like “bunny rabbits”, the rats were captured on film at around 6.30pm on Tuesday by a member of the public. 

Thomas Kerr, Conservative group leader in the city, was among those to condemn the images, saying: “Parents across Glasgow will be absolutely shocked and disgusted to see a pack of rats in and amongst Alexandra Park, making their way to the children’s play area. 

“I’ve been trying for months to get the council leader to address the impact of her cleansing policies on Glasgow’s rat population. 

Thomas Kerr

“Her only response has been to deny there is a problem at all and accuse those raising concerns of being ‘far right’.

“There is nothing ‘far right’ about mums and dads wanting their kids’ play parks to be free of rodent infestation.” 

Susan Aitken, the council leader, has defended the city’s cleansing policy in recent months amidst a furious row with opposition politicians and union leaders. 

Just last week, the GMB Union inflated a giant rat in the West End to “shine a spotlight on the crisis”. It also launched a ‘rat register’ to keep track of Glasgow’s vermin. 

Chris Mitchell, convenor at GMB, said: “I think it’s time the council stand by the GMB branch 40 cleansing and ask the Scottish Government to intervene so we can now put a stop to the waste crisis. 

Chris Mitchell with Cludgie, the rat

“Rats are now taking over the city. Kids cannot get out to play. 

“Now the one thing the council keep banging on about the importance of green space in the city but the problem with this, as you can see, is that it’s overrun with rats. 

“There’s no way you can take your family out in conditions like this one off the biggest park in the city is now becoming a no-go area.” 

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of rats within Alexandra Park and have pest controls measures in place within the park.

“Using pest control treatments in public spaces can be challenging as the baits clearly pose a risk to other wildlife as well as household pets and so must be deployed appropriately

“In all situations rats are looking for sources of food and unfortunately rats are drawn towards the feed that is scattered for the birds that also live in the park.

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“We urge visitors to the park to limit as far as possible the food they leave for the birds as this will help to minimise the draw to visible places for these rodents.

“We have also introduced large capacity litter bins into the park, which have significantly improved the containment of litter, and this will also help minimise the impact of the pests within the park.

“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and deploy pest control treatments in a range of ways to ensure they are as effective as possible while also protecting other animals.”