Resident criticises council after fly-tipping causes rat infestation on Northampton estate

The Southfields man of Great Gull Crescent - who wishes to remain anonymous - claims that the black bins on his estate have not been emptied from the refuse collection area and some owners have taken to piling up their rubbish, in a fly-tipping fashion, as outside bins are overflowing.

He said: "The amount of rubbish has doubled making the area an abominable fiesta for cats and rats with children playing next to it.

"There are a small number of bags I willingly used to sort the problem myself but it’s not the way.

"These bin owners have to bring their full bins just before collection and have to take them back, something must be done because fly-tipping surely will be here again."

As well as this, he claims that other black bins have been left empty in the area as the owners are "unknown."

The resident, who filed his first complaint to environment enforcement officers back in February, added: "It’s a shame as the Section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives the local authority a minimum of five days written notice to clear the litter."

However after he brought this issue to the borough council's attention, the officers still haven't taken action to clear up the mess.

Councillor Mike Hallam, cabinet member for environment at Northampton Borough Council, said: “We are aware of the ongoing issue with waste disposal in Great Gull Crescent. Our neighbourhood warden has already visited the area and a street cleaning team will soon remove the remaining rubbish.

“These homes are managed by Northampton Partnership Homes, so we’re working together to tackle the issue with residents to solve the larger problem as well as dealing with the litter that’s there now.”