Blackburn couple plagued by flytipping by side of home

The couple, a man and woman who asked not to be named, who live in Burnley Road, Blackburn, said they moved in four months ago and since then, they have been plagued by people dumping rubbish at the side of their home.

They said they have tried contacting Blackburn with Darwen Council two or three times, and said they were told it was “not an issue for them”.

The man said: “I don’t know how it’s not the council’s problem because it’s next to the road, whose responsibility it is?

“Our back garden is clean but we have rats constantly.

“My partner is terrified that something is going to come into the house.

“She can’t relax, she is checking everywhere with the lights on and wondering about every bit of sound.”

The waste which has been dumped by the couple’s home (Image: Submitted)

The couple also reached out to Blackburn MP Kate Hollern, who sent a letter about the couple’s concerns to the council to see how they could help.

The couple have said Ms Hollern’s intervention has also “made no difference”.

They said they check every night to see if there is anything in the house, using a torch to check for rodents.

When they take the bin out to be collected, they said they have rats running around their feet.

They have also tried to put down rat traps to curb the issue but it has not worked.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s environmental education officer will now be working with the couple to try and improve the issue after the exasperated couple contacted the Lancashire Telegraph.

Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Jim Smith, said: “The vast majority of local residents take pride in their homes and communities.

“We want our residents to be proud of where they live, so we don’t tolerate rubbish being allowed to build up and ruin the appearance of our neighbourhoods.

The waste which has been dumped by the couple’s home (Image: Submitted)

“Our Environmental Education Officer can work with residents in areas that are blighted by fly-tipping.

“The team take the time to go out and speak to residents to educate them about the right ways to dispose of their waste and to recycle as much as they can.

“They will also check that residents have the right bins and understand which rubbish goes into which bin.

“We also work with residents to encourage community clean-ups.

“There’s a lot of information and advice for residents to organise clean-ups on the council website.”