THE DECISION to remove storage containers from a Wirral yard where a family of foxes live has been suspended.

For several weeks a young fox family has been living under old containers in a council-owned yard in Birkenhead.

Last week, council staff had been instructed to destroy two of the six containers, which had fallen into disrepair over the years, on Monday, April 29.

The two containers marked for destruction were the two in which a young vixen lives with her cubs.

Following the proposal, wildlife campaigners, including Friends of Flaybrick, Friends of Bidston Hill and Tom O’Shanter Farm opposed the action and appealed to local councillors and senior Wirral Council officers to intervene with the plans.

The appeal put forward by Josephine Wood, treasurer and trustee of Tam O'Shanter Cottage Urban Farm Trust stated: “Members of the public have made us aware for several weeks now, of a young fox family living under old containers. The have enjoyed watching them grow and play.

“Council staff have also witnessed this playtime with joy. It gives hope in a dark world.

“There are five to six containers in the yard and two have been marked for destruction for several years. Out of the blue an instruction has been given to remove them on Monday by whatever means necessary - including using blowtorches to destroy them. 

“These two containers are the very two underneath which a young vixen is living with her cubs. In a few short weeks, they will have dispersed. After years and years of waiting, can this action not be halted until they have moved on? She is doing no harm and we can only imagine the hell she would endure if this work is allowed to proceed

“This is causing huge distress amongst members of the public and wildlife campaigners, and I have been asked to see what I can do to get this postponed. 

“The action is not supported, in fact, has been vigorously opposed by Friends of Flaybrick and Friends of Bidston Hill, as well as now, Tam O'Shanter Farm and our wildlife supporters.

“I have never needed to make such an appeal before but for the sake of a few weeks please could this be postponed.

“These foxes keep our sites rat-free and the joy of having new young foxes to keep the yard and the surrounding areas rat-free is simply a joy. 

“Our wildlife has suffered enough with our constant interference and here we have a golden opportunity to stop this destruction of a habitat for a mother and her young.”

Following the appeal, the head of parks at Wirral Council confirmed that the team had paused the work until the fox family was grown and had left.

A spokesperson for Wirral Council told the Globe: “After being made aware of the foxes at this site it has been agreed to suspend the proposed removal of two containers for a month, as proposed by Wirral Fox Rescue.

"In addition, prior to any work beginning on the site council staff will carry out a survey to ensure the wildlife is not affected.”

Following the news, Jo said: “We were impressed to see democracy in action last weekend as we contacted elected members as a means of last resort after the decision was made to start deconstructing containers today (Monday).

“We were delighted that the local councillors for Claughton and Bidston were as concerned as we were and made representation at the highest level to get this work paused until the cubs could move on. 

“We will be closely monitoring the site for the wildlife family and will be assisted in this by the many members of the public who came to us for help.

“It is good to know that there are so many people looking out for our wildlife and their wellbeing. We are passionate about wildlife protection and this is a great outcome.”