Councillor's concerns over 'serious' rat infestation on Shrewsbury estate
Rats have been scurrying around people's homes and gardens in Shrewsbury in a what has been branded a "serious" infestation.
Residents have reported seeing up to 10 rodents at a time in Shrewsbury's Meole Estate, with concerns that the vermin pose a major health risk.
It comes after redundancy notices were served on Shropshire Council's pest control team to try to save money for the cash-strapped authority. Jobs went at the beginning of August, and the council no longer provides pest control services. Most of the homes in Meole Estate are owned by the housing authority Homes Plus.
Shropshire Council has rejected suggestions the decision has led to the Meole issue, with Chris Schofield, the council's cabinet member for planning and regulatory services, saying concerned residents can use "one of the many commercial pest control companies, just as they could do when the council had its own service".
But Meole's Lib Dem councillor, Bernie Bentick, insists the Conservative-led council has a responsibility to residents.
"This is a serious infestation of rats," he said. "Residents have contacted me saying they have found rats in properties, in their gardens and in green spaces near their houses.
"The pest control team has been disbanded, and I'm not clear about the effectiveness of the new system. Rats pose a serious health risk with regard to diseases like salmonella and other conditions.
