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Too many swans in Newbury? Petition says no to cull




Plans to control the number of swans on Newbury's canal are being discussed.

But the move has prompted outrage and a petition to save the swans has been launched by a local campaigner – and already has nearly 800 signatures.

Swans are growing in number, in part, says one councillor, due to the amount of bread being thrown in to feed them, which in turn creates problems with rats.

Thanks to @veenery for this photograph of swans on the canal in Newbury
Thanks to @veenery for this photograph of swans on the canal in Newbury

Swans are now making their way into canal side cafés looking for more food – and this was brought up at a closed meeting of Newbury Town Council and the Canal Corridor Working Group.

The group has resolved to find out what to do about the increasing numbers of swans and the council – which has no powers to deal with them – is writing to the Wildlife Trust, RSPB and the Canal and River Trust for advice.

The petition was set up by local resident Simon Kirby who attacks the town council in the petition, saying: “It reads like an episode of Trumpton like when the fire brigade were called when the mayor’s hat blew into a tree, and it would be funny enough as a children’s farce except it is now in the realms of possibility that some public functionary should suggest a culling of the swans.”

Mr Kirby has also written to West Berkshire Council about the petition, which is said to be putting the matter to its Water Safety Board.

Swans on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Newbury town centre
Swans on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Newbury town centre

But town councillors have defended themselves from the growing attacks on them on social media.

“We all love the swans,” said Martha Vickers (Lib Dem, Newbury Central). “They are lovely. But we might need to do some kind of an education programme, or look into signage on the canal to maybe reduce the amount of bread being thrown to them.

“The swans are lovely, but the number of ducks and other wildlife is reducing as the swans increase in numbers.

"We at the town council have no authority to cull swans, so we are looking for advice from experts in this field to advise us.”

But Mr Kirby is vehement in his response.

His petition goes on to say: “The report of a swan walking into a canal-side café is hardly something to phone the police and fire brigade about and the café should politely be told to get on with it."



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