A popular green space in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle has been cleared after the discovery of a rat infestation.
Videos in recent days have show many of the seating and community areas within the Baltic Green Urban Park being removed and images now show the site completely cleared.
The park was created last year as part of a project led by Tristan Brady-Jacobs and saw pallets used to create seating as well as other installations in the park.
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Liverpool Council, which owns the land but had allowed the creation of the seating under a land agreement, said there had been increased usage of the area since the end of lockdown.
Pest control officers said the higher numbers of people eating and drinking in the park had been drawing rats to the area.
The council said it was forced to act after pest control established that the rats were able to use the pallets to nest, posing a risk to human health.
Mr Brady-Jacobs said he and others involved in the project had always expected the pallets to be temporary and accepted the issue with rats had become difficult to deal with but said he was “devastated” by how quickly the area had been cleared.
Many writing on social media voiced similar views, with multiple people saying the space had become a valued part of the local area since being established.
Tanya Horne tweeted: "I watched residents put a lot of hard work into setting this up during our family lockdown walks last year - I'm really sorry to hear it's been destroyed."
Gemma Sparkes added: "Having seen the months and months of hard work to build this along with the artists making it look amazing, it’s a massive shame to see it all knocked down within a few hours."
Despite sadness and anger from some residents, ward councillor Steve Munby said the issues around the site had become too severe too ignore.
Councillor Munby said: “There have been complaints from neighbours about the conditions here.
"It had become popular for people to congregate there after leaving licensed premises in the Baltic and that obviously causes issues for residents.
“The rats have also been causing major issues and that is something that had to be tackled.
“We have a long term vision for this space as a community public space and we are going to look to consult with people on their views about what that should look like as we go forward.”
Mr Brady-Jacobs said he and other volunteers would continue to monitor the plans for the area and said he hoped it could be developed in a way that reflected the local area.
He said: “We will be keeping a strong eye on it. If the council did something with [the space] we would stand by them and support them.
“We want to see something that reflects the nature of the Baltic Triangle and the community here.”
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