'I'm scared rats will take over alleyway'

Alison Buckley has been trying to get her alleyway cleared

A woman fears the alleyway behind her home could attract rats due to the overgrown weeds, which she has asked the council to clear.

Alison Buckley says she has been trying to get Wirral Council to clear the entry which runs behind her Oxton home but has had no luck.

She said things had been so bad people had taken matters into their own hands to clear an alleyway in the area.

At a full council meeting on 13 October, Oxton councillor Allan Brame said alleyways in the borough were supposed to be cleared three times a year but "it seems to me there has been no attempt to deal with weeds in several alleyways in Oxton".

He said he'd reported alleyways off Gorsefield Road, Singleton Avenue, Woodchurch Road, Enfield Terrace, Balfour Road, and Bentley Road at least once already this year and asked for answers about why nothing had been done.

Alison Buckley told the Local Democracy Reporting service that while she tries to keep the area outside her house clear, she's had no luck in getting the alleyway behind her home cleared.

"I have been told they are meant to clean it every four weeks but it doesn't look like they have done it at all," she added.

Environment committee chair Cllr Liz Grey said clearing alleyways was part of the council's weed control contract and the council was taking up the issue with contractors.

She said the local authority would look at withholding payments if alleyway treatments were not effective, adding the contract was up for renewal next year and they would be investigating the issue further.

Balfour Road Alleyway is among areas which have been highlighted for having overgrown weeds

In 2024, Wirral councillors voted for a one-off investment aimed at cleaning up the borough. Among many things, one of these was to clear up alleyways and grotspots.

Cllr Brame said: "There was progress last year, they did an excellent job, but then if it's not maintained the weeds and the rubbish come back. It's something you need to keep on top of.

"Access can be difficult and flytipping can get in the way but it's the broken window syndrome. If you do not keep on top of this, the area gradually deteriorates.

"People can't take pride in their area if the council can't do the basic work of keeping it clean."

Cllr Grey, when approached about the issues on Balfour Road, said alleyways in Oxton were due to be re-treated and the issue would be resolved soon.