Residents fed up with rats call for yellow lines

Moulescoomb estate often has congestion problems due to the number of parked cars

Residents concerned about rats feasting on uncollected rubbish are calling for yellow lines on their estate in a bid to stop parked cars from preventing regular bin collections.

People on the Bates Estate, in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, have regularly reported missed refuse collections to Cityclean, the council’s rubbish service, only to be told that cars were blocking the streets, preventing bin lorries from gaining access, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A Brighton and Hove City Council housing management panel report said that as a result residents wanted double yellow lines on the estate.

Cityclean manager Melissa Francis said she would ask the council’s highways department about the lines.

'Rat and seagull infestation'

In the report, a question from residents’ representatives said: “Due to fewer collections, rubbish is piling up and there is a rat and seagull infestation.

“When the bins are collected, a lot of rubbish gets left strewn on the ground rather than cleaned up. There is often broken glass everywhere.

“Many areas are becoming health and safety hazards. There are not enough bins on the Bates Estate and the existing ones are frequently overflowing.”

Ms Francis said: “Lines can take some time to install due to the process that is followed, including scheduling the work and public consultation.

“An officer will visit the estate to review the number of bins and discuss with housing, who authorise the purchase of bins.

“Management will speak to the crews who empty the bins to ensure they tidy up the area.”

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].