Rat fear in alleyway

PENSIONERS fear an alleyway at the rear of their homes is infested with rats – and today appealed for help to clear away rubbish people have been dumping.

The group of senior citizens – who live in Arwela Road and Buregate Road, Felixstowe – say they cannot clear the rubbish away on their own.

But while council officials are looking into possible environmental health hazards, they say the passageway which gives access to back gardens is private land and not their responsibility.

Pat Loveday, who served as a councillor for several years, said: "People have been using the alley to dump their rubbish and it's packed solid.

"Most of the people who live in the houses along here are elderly and cannot clear this sort of thing on their own – it is tiring work and we cannot keep lifting all this heavy stuff.

"We have been trying our best but we have found three big rats' nests and that has caused us a lot of worry.

"Also, our drains run under the passageway and we are concerned that if we had a drainage problem we would not be able to reach the drains very easily."

Mrs Loveday said the residents had asked council officials for help to clear the site but had not received any assistance.

"I think they should at least come and have a look because having rats' nests there could be a health hazard," she added.

A spokesman for Suffolk Coastal council said the alley was private land and not the authority's responsibility. The council could clear it but would have to charge the residents for the work.

Fly-tipping was an appalling nuisance and the council urged people to dispose of their rubbish correctly – either by putting it out in black sacks for the weekly domestic refuse collection service, or taking it to the household waste site.

The council would collect bulky items for disposal from homes for a small charge.

n Have you got problems with rats in your area? Let the Newsdesk know on 01473 324789.

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk