Health fears on street where 'rats are everywhere'

Residents say they have "serious environmental and health concerns" about a rat infestation on their street.

Royal Parade Mews, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has dozens of commercial bins that spill food waste and "support an ever-growing rat population", people living nearby claim.

The vermin have also found their way into vehicles, with some residents of the street in the Montpellier area of the town now planning to sell their homes.

Councillor Izaac Tailford, Cheltenham Borough Council cabinet member for waste and recycling, said "regular cleanings" are planned for 2025.

Oliver Clark, who lives in Royal Parade Mews, said he pays "amongst the highest" council tax fees in the county, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Every morning I am woken up by cleaning crews plying their trade on Montpellier Street to great effect. Yet mere meters away, we live in squalor," he said.

"For almost two years now I have been chasing the council, restaurant owners, residential property owners and anyone else who will listen but to no avail.

"All of the pubs and restaurants on Montpellier Street still put their bins in this road. Their bins are totally unmanaged."

He plans to move out of the area because of the rat issues.

"The rats are everywhere, in our bike store, in the engine bay of my car, infesting the wall of the property across the road. It is really out of control," added Mr Clark.

Rahul Faujdar, who also lives on the street, moved in a year ago and said it had been "horrendous".

"I believe it is a serious environmental hazard and health and safety breach with hazardous waste and dead rats on a weekly basis on the street," he said.

Council leaders said the street is scheduled for cleaning and a pest control team had baited the area on 19 December.

Mr Tailford said: "Community protection warning notices have been issued to local businesses in this vicinity, with daily monitoring being conducted by Cheltenham Borough Council officers.

"If non-compliance persists, this will be escalated to more severe pathways and evidence capturing devices will be considered at the location."

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