'Ridiculous' DIY curtains installed on council litter bins in Welsh town

A shopkeeper in North Wales was left in disbelief when two workmen arrived to modify a litter bin next to his store. David Marsden, who runs the Siop Newydd convenience store and its gardens on Pentraeth Road, Menai Bridge, was taken aback by the "designer flaps" that were added to the bin.

According to Mr Marsden, the workmen said that the flaps were designed to stop gulls and prevent the wind from scattering rubbish. However, he wasn't convinced this was necessary, reports North Wales Live.

"I wasn't aware this was an issue - we've never had a problem with gulls. The bin is emptied every morning, so it never gets full. I wouldn't minded so much if they'd used clean plastic but the material was dirty and it looks a mess. The bin flaps are unsightly and an eyesore," he said.

READ MORE: Huge 4x4 'dangles' at top of garden after rolling away from house

READ NEXT: I worked at Wales' most haunted house and it changed my view on life

Intrigued, Mr Marsden decided to investigate further and discovered that other bins around the town had been similarly altered. One such bin, just down the road from his shop, had already caught the attention of a local resident who lamented the "eyesore right in front of our house" on social media.

The arrival of the workmen and their unexpected task took everyone by surprise. Mr Marsden said: "They came in a truck and unloaded what looked like used plastic sheeting.

"They measured and cut the material into strips, then screwed these to the bin. One of them got a pair of scissors and cut a fringe in each of the strips."

Mr Marsden's photographs seem to indicate that the material was not plastic but possibly some type of fabric. "Anyone lost their jeans? " joked one woman on Facebook after seeing the images.

The new "bin curtains" have left several locals scratching their heads, while others have been more vocal, calling them "shocking", "ridiculous", and an "absolute joke". Some pragmatists are holding out hope that they will "serve a purpose", yet many view them as a "waste of money".

Menai Bridge Town Council (Cyngor Tref Porthaethwy) has made it clear that it is not involved. Anglesey Council has acknowledged the work, emphasizing that the solution is only a stopgap.

A spokesperson for the council clarified: "We are aware of the work undertaken - as a temporary measure - in Menai Bridge. We will revisit the area once a more appropriate solution is available."

The makeshift bin curtains have divided opinion among locals. Some see them as an unnecessary solution to a non-existent problem, while others believe they could be beneficial - particularly for preventing Anglesey's red squirrels from getting trapped - but feel they have been poorly implemented.

Seagulls are a common sight in any coastal town, and Menai Bridge is no exception. However, they are not viewed with the same level of concern here as they are along the main North Wales coast.

Siop Newydd is located over half-a-mile inland, and one resident commented: "I've never seen any seagulls raiding these bins along Pentraeth Road."

That said, there have been instances of gulls getting into the bins, as one unfortunate bird discovered at the nearby Menai Bridge Skate Park. It is believed to have gained access through a broken lid, whereas the bins with enclosed tops on Pentraeth Road are generally more effective at keeping the gulls out.

One local resident suggested a simpler solution: "They are only able to eat stuff that has fallen out of over-filled bins," they said. "The council would be better off just emptying the bins more often...."