Shock as rats as ‘big as cats' spotted roaming in Hamilton town centre

Nov 17 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

MOTORISTS have been left stunned after seeing rats “as big as small cats” on a busy road in the centre of Hamilton.

A resident living in Kemp Street has hit out at the infestation of rodents in the street and called for action to remove them.

The fed-up neighbour says the rats appear to be coming from bushes near the railway line.

Residents fear the problem will only get worse when work begins on a major revamp to Hamilton bus station next week.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokeswoman said their workers are treating a rodent infestation near the recycling facility in Kemp Street.

She added that the infestation is linked to household waste, including food scraps, being wrongly deposited at the facility.

One Kemp Street resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “In the past few months, I have seen an increase in the number of rats coming from the railway line.

“All of a sudden, they have been playing ‘chicken’ with the traffic in Kemp Street.

“People in the cars are watching the rats take food out of bins.

“I have contacted environmental health officers about it and a council worker said they are lovely rats and they are having a great time!

“Work will begin at the bus station next week and the problem is only going to get worse. People in the bus station say there are rats in the bushes area.”

A spokeswoman for South Lanarkshire Council’s Waste and Environmental Service said: “We did receive a complaint about rodents being sighted in Kemp Street in October and can confirm that we are treating a rodent infestation in the vicinity of the recycling facility there.

“At this point in time, we believe the infestation is linked to household waste, including food scraps, being wrongly deposited at the facility.

“Network Rail staff have been advised of the situation and have engaged their own contractor to inspect and, if appropriate, treat the railway embankment adjacent to the location.

“The recycling facility is currently being baited and we continue to monitor the situation.”