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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Liam Buckler

Life on 'worst estate in the UK' riddled with rubbish, guns and hordes of invading rats

Locals living on the 'worst estate in the UK' have slammed their 'useless' council for the rubbish, guns and hordes of invading rats plaguing their homes.

Neighbours Kevin Solomon, 51, and Roy Winn, 81, have criticised Newham Council after claiming their estate in Radley Terrace has become a breeding ground for large rats.

The pair claim the council have done "sod all" to the large amounts of rubbish at the Canning Town estate.

After living in his flat for the last 17 years, Kevin said he has contacted the council and the tenant management organisation (TMO) building "almost daily".

Kevin believes the dumped wood could be a fire hazard if there's more hot weather (Carl Fox / The Sun / News Licensing)

However, the dad-of-four told The Sun : "They don't do nothing! We're the only one's pushing s*** up in this block.

"I reported it to Newham Council, you know what they said? They told me they couldn't find the pile!"

Among the large amounts of rubbish are scraps of wood, old doors and household items which have been dumped behind a corner shop - after an alleged makeover by a former shop owner.

However, the corner shop has reportedly been vacated and, according to the locals, the council have failed to sort out the rubbish.

The large amounts of rubbish include scraps of wood, old doors and household items which have been dumped behind a corner shop (Carl Fox / The Sun / News Licensing)

But more pressingly, concerned residents believe the the scraps of wooden rubbish could catch on fire - just like many homes did during the 40C heatwave - with future hotter weather predicted.

Kevin and neighbour Roy, both West Ham fans, believe "the council won't listen" and claim the council's pest control and waste management have failed them.

Roy said "no one should have to live like this" as Kevin's attempts to get things to change have been so far unsuccessful.

One local resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, lives in a three bed home in the estate and claimed the area was the "worst estate in London" after living there for the last 22 years.

Roy believes the council haven't done enough to clear the mess (Carl Fox / The Sun / News Licensing)

The dad-of-three claims he once "found a gun and a knife" in the carpark which smelt of urine and said "it's one of the worst blocks to live in London".

Another resident claims the bin men won't pick up the rubbish due to the 'smell of the rats'.

The shop has since shut but the rubbish remains out the back (Carl Fox / The Sun / News Licensing)

A spokesperson for Newham Council said: "We are aware of the specific repair issue at Radley Terrace, Hermit Way. As a borough we take residents reporting their issues and resolving them very seriously.

"The property is owned by a partner organisation, who arranged for contractors to attend the property today and will be continuing with work tomorrow.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely until the repairs are complete.

"The council’s Pest control service had already carried out treatments to the block and are continuing to monitor the area. The pest control service inspected the entire block again today.

"We offer a free pest control service where all Newham residents can report issues.

According to one resident, bin men are refusing to pick up the rubbish (Carl Fox / The Sun / News Licensing)

"I can also confirm that litter picking and an Estate clean-up round were carried out today.

"The local tenants management organisation carry out regular estate walkabouts with both staff and residents, where resident are able to report any issues.

"A programme of investment was completed at Radley Terrace by the council last year to address many of the maintenance issues on the estate.

"These included: Painting and decoration of all external balconies, renewal of windows to all flats.

"Renewal of roof coverings, painting of all communal areas and stairwell

"As part of a wider programme of works, further replacement of front entrance doors is due to be carried out throughout 2022.

The rubbish has attracted rats which can be seen from the back of the residents' flats (Carl Fox / The Sun / News Licensing)

"We share the residents annoyance at fly-tipping and littering. Our enforcement team attended site today and will be carrying out further inspections and enforcement of the surrounding commercial car parks.

"And highways, that were included in the photos, to ensure these issues are addressed.

"The Council is committed to keeping our streets and neighbourhoods clean and aims to reduce borough wide reported fly-tipping by 50 percent."

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