Scotstoun residents demand leader comes to see rat problem

Fed-up householders in Scotstoun’s Earl Street say the vermin – some of which are around the size of small dogs – have become so bold they are invading closes and scampering up and down stairs outside people’s front doors.

Union and council bosses have already ordered refuse removal teams not to enter the back courts of local properties due to health and safety concerns.

As a result, bins were moved to the front of houses – a decision which residents say has only encouraged the rats to roam even further afield in search of food.

Sam Whitehouse, 70, has lived in the area for 40 years and wants the problem addressed once and for all.

Sam with wife June and neighbour Elizabeth Stead (Image: Gordon Terris)

“We have been calling for something to be done about this for too long, enough is enough," he told the Glasgow Times.

“We want Susan Aitken to come out of her office in George Square and see for herself what real people in Glasgow are having to endure.

“We’ve been putting up with this issue for years and folk are sick to death of being fobbed off with excuses as to why it’s not being resolved.

“It looks to me like pest control can’t get on top of the problem because of where the rats are nesting, so what’s the next step?”

The Glasgow Times previously reported how residents were told by the council that moving the bins to the front of the street would be a temporary measure until the vermin roaming to the rear of their homes was dealt with.

Sam added: “Here we are over 10 months later and there’s still no sign of the bins being moved back. It looks like they are just being left in the street for anyone to use whenever and however they please. It makes the place look unsightly and rats are attracted to the waste inside, so it’s just making the problem worse.”

John McLean lives opposite Sam and says his family are now too scared to hang out washing in their back court because of the rats.

Rat on bins in Earl Street (Image: supplied)

John, 61, explained: “The rats are getting bigger and bolder; my daughter was horrified to discover them in the close last week running about the stairwell. They are attracted to the bins, and you can see them trying to get inside, especially if a lid hasn’t been closed properly.

“The problem has certainly become worse, not better. My daughter won’t even try and hang out her washing now because the place has become a breeding ground.”

John is also calling on the council leader to personally visit the area.

Council leader Susan Aitken (Image: Newsquest)

He added: “We were told the back courts would be spruced up and the issue dealt with, but that’s simply not been the case. More rats than ever are running about and people have had enough.

“We need the people in charge of the local authority to come down here and see the problem with their own eyes. Maybe then they will appreciate what it is like to live in Earl Street. Rats have been known to bite and defecate all over the place, it’s only a matter of time before someone ends up seriously ill.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council says pest control teams continue to work with residents to resolve the issue. 

They added: “Last year our teams worked intensively with the local housing association to address a pest control issue in back courts at 71-121 Earl Street.

“We have not received any further reports of pest issues at these addresses.

“However, we have recently received reports of pest issues in relation to back courts at numbers 178 to 190 Earl Street, and our pest control team has been laying down baits in recent days.

“Rats are in search of sources of food and they will be attracted to food waste that is not properly contained within a suitable bin."

They added: “Unfortunately there is clear evidence of recycling bins in back courts between 178 and 190 Earl Street being contaminated with general waste that will provide a source of food waste that will attract rats.

“There is also an issue with a broken utility cover that will allow rats to access these back courts.

“Our public health team is investigating these issues but it is ultimately the responsibility of owners and factors to ensure their property is properly maintained.”