People living in Wavertree have called for something to change after their street became overrun with rats and rubbish.
One resident, Michelle Samson Austin, 53, has tried to improve the situation herself and has contacted the council several times to report hazardous overflowing bins, on Long Lane. As well as causing a rodent problem, the bins are also blocking a pavement, making it inaccessible for disabled people.
The mum is currently recovering from a stroke which she suffered two years ago, which was brought on due to high blood pressure. She now relies on crutches to get around after having issues with her mobility and says she fears for her health again due to the stress that is being caused by the bins.
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After a trip to get her hair done, accompanied by her 17-year-old son, Neil, Michelle attempted to walk home. But on the way the pavement was blocked by cars and bins leaving her struggling to safely get around them.
She said that she felt like she had been practicing walking "for nothing" as the incident left both her and her son scared. She said: "I got to the alley gates at the end of Rathbone on Long Lane and oh my God, not only so many cars parked on the road blocking our way but the amount of bins - full and also blocking our path.
"Surely this can't be allowed? It's been two years since my stroke and I was happy getting out but now I'm dreading ever going out again because that was so scary for us both. Please tell me something can be done to stop this, I have been practicing walking for nothing."
Speaking to the ECHO, she said: "One of the most worrying things is the place is becoming overrun with rats, not being helped by the piles of rubbish not just in bins but being left in the streets and bags in entries. In this instance the bins were in the street alongside cars that were all parked on the kerb so it left little room to get past, especially with my son.
"He worried about letting go of me as I was walking with my crutch, and I'm recovering from a stroke, but I persuaded him to briefly let me walk alone then once past the cars he held my hand again. The anxiety for both of us was horrible, bad enough I'm in this position but for him, a 17-year-old who has autism, ADHD and learning difficulties - he dealt with this amazingly."
She added: "I truly hope this message makes people stop and think twice before parking where they shouldn't. Also the council seriously need to help clean up the streets."
Michelle said that she has contacted Liverpool council but to no avail. She said: "Trying to get replies from the council is next to impossible but have to keep trying."
She said that they have told her there is nothing they can do regarding the rats in the area as it is not her property and nothing can be done about the bins being in the way on bin day. Michelle said that she was transferred to another department but the line cut off and she is struggling to get hold of anyone to discuss it further.
Another resident in the area, who did not wish to be named, said that they had been trying all kinds of home remedies to keep the rats away. They said: "We've had a couple of dead rats in our own garden and bins. I'm sick of them now, they're everywhere. Those bins never seem to be fully emptied. I've tried traps and peppermint spray and googling what else I can do to keep them away but still keep finding them."
A spokesperson from Liverpool council told the ECHO: "Given most of the road did have their bins emptied, these full bins were likely to have been contaminated with materials that aren’t recyclable and couldn’t be tipped onto the wagon, which means they will be collected by the next purple domestic crew."
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