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BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Derry's riverside rats 'enjoying five star all-inclusive holiday'
Huge numbers of rats are enjoying a "five star all-inclusive holiday" on one of Londonderry's most popular riverfront walkways, a pest control expert has of rats have been spotted in the last week on Queen's Quay, an area frequently used by families, walkers and cyclists.A number of measures have now been put in place to interrupt the rats' "transit routes", Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) Page, owner of a pest and rodent control business in the north west, said it appeared a large colony had set up home on the quay, adding it is a real "cause for concern". Footage of the rats first emerged last week. There have been further daily sightings over recent said they had acted following an escalation in rodent activity in the has "implemented immediate measures to assist local landowners and businesses to address this issue". Ms Page told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme there would always be rats on the riverfront."If you have food and water and harbourage, you have a perfect storm there for rat activity," she said."They have all their needs, it's like a five star all-inclusive holiday for them, they have even got the sunshine."When you see rats out and about during the day and in those numbers, then I am afraid you have a significant rat infestation."She urged the Derry public and business to play their part in getting rid of the rats. "A lot of it is to do with us, people leaving food behind. Remove the food and the harbourage and they won't be secure, they will go," she said."It's vital people don't leave any rubbish behind, that businesses' bins are not overfilled." However the scale of the colony means a controlled riddance programme will most likely be required, she added."They have a right to live, but you do not want to send those rats everywhere. You do not want them to scatter," she said. The council said site assessments have been carried out by its environmental health investigation determined the rodents had been using the planters as routes to travel from their nesting area to access food sources."The council is taking proactive steps to ensure the swift resolution of this situation, including the removal of some of planters in order to disrupt these pathways," a council spokeswoman added. Foyle SDLP assembly Mark H Durkan filmed the rats he encountered while out running."I run the quay regularly and have done for years. I have seen the odd little four-legged friend – that is to be expected on the riverfront – but never anything like this," he said."You can't have a rat population like this in an area used so much by the public. I would ask everyone to be careful about what they do with their litter." 'Rat numbers are exploding' David Greer is a certified field biologist who runs his own pest control business in County told BBC News NI the situation on the riverfront in Derry was playing out in other areas."As a business we can't keep up with demand for our services," he said. "Rat numbers are exploding, their numbers are greater than we have seen for some time. Once it gets out of control, it is very hard to get it back."
BBC News
18-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
City of Derry Airport: Stormont takes costs away from ratepayers
The executive will cover the multi-million-pound annual running costs of City of Derry Airport for the next four years, the economy minister has by Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC), running the airport costs almost £3.5m each year which has historically been covered by Minister Caoimhe Archibald said her department has now assumed responsibility, and will provide up to £3m annually in a deal that runs until added, the department's funding "will enable the airport to plan for future growth in the years ahead". "The airport is integral to the economic development of Northern Ireland's north west," Archibald assuming control of its running costs, she said, the council would now be able to focus funding on "supporting the north west's ongoing competitiveness and ability to trade, attract inward investment and inbound tourism". In January 2024, it was reported the airport was facing an estimated £729,000 shortfall, while three years previously the council warned it was facing "severe financial risk".Stormont has previously provided financial aid to the airport, including in October 2024 when the Department of Infrastructure said it was providing a £3m package for the Eglinton same month, then Economy Minister Conor Murphy, said the department intended to assume responsibility for the running costs from April 2025. Steve Frazer, the managing director of City of Derry Airport, said the four-year funding deal is "pivotal" for the airport's future stability."This announcement ensures we are well placed to continue supporting the region's ambitious growth plans and our continued contribution to the region's economy," he Mayor of Derry and Strabane Lilian Seenoi Barr said the council and airport can now "strategically plan" for the airport's development and airport "is a critical infrastructure asset that provides connectivity and is fundamental to business and tourism in the area", she added. Earlier this month it was announced direct flights between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow will be subsidised by the Northern Ireland and UK governments for another two 2017, flights between Derry and London have been subsidised under a public service obligation (PSO).
