FAMILIES have revealed their horror after a rubbish pile was left festering for more than six MONTHS – attracting rats and feral cats.
Locals Karen and Jason Brogan, along with neighbour Janet Finn, were horrified as the pile of wood, mattresses, pallets, and building waste started to build up outside their home in November.
3
The abandoned rubbish on the Meadway in Garrett’s Green, Birmingham, was said to depress them and embarrassment prevented them from inviting people over.
Jason Brogan was also concerned for the safety of their daughter, he said: “I’ve got a 16-year-old daughter and I’m frightened about her walking past in case a rat will bite her, or even the dog if a rat bites the dog, you’re in trouble.
“It’s really upsetting but what can you do.”
Jason admitted to seeing rats running across his path as well as feral cats nesting there, which lead him to believe there would also be kittens over the summer period too.
Karen added: “We’re out in the day, and when you come home, there’s lots of rubbish there, there’s a mattress, building waste, rock wall, plaster and timber, fridge and carpets, and because it’s so open.”
Janet Finn has lived on the road for 33 years, she said: “I’m really depressed about it, I really am, I don’t like to see it all like this, you know, it’s just an eyesore.
“We are sick of it now, we really are sick of it. There are rats in the garden, I don’t know what’s under all that lot, we are fed up with it now.”
Birmingham City Council finally cleared up the mess last Tuesday, a staggering seven months after initial complaints, and only after the issue had been made public.
Janet commented: “I’m glad it’s all gone.”
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “We are sorry for the distress caused to the family. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the garden remains clear.
“We are continuing to investigate the matter and working with the tenant to keep it clear.”
When asked if they will be billing the tenant for the clean-up, they responded: “We consider all our options and this will be part of our investigation.”
The tenant was approached for comment on May 25 but is yet to respond.
Most read in News
Rubbish collection is a prominent issue for many local councils, this week local residents in East Belfast were told by the council their bins would not be collected because the road was “uneven”.
Members of the public in Hyde, Greater Manchester have also named a particular alleyway “a slum” because of the filthy trash that’s been ditched there.
3
3
