Investigation launched into 'serious problem' of rat infestations in Redbridge

Cllr Dev Sharma, Labour’s cabinet member for civic pride, said officers would look into the issue last night at the council’s Health, Leisure and Older People Service Committee at Redbridge town hall, in Ilford.

Starting the debate, Conservative Roding ward councillor Sarah Blaber said she had regularly seen “lots of rats running around” in Regents Drive, Woodford Bridge.

Conservative Snaresbrook ward councillor Sue Nolan said she believed the poor grass-cutting of maintenance crews was exacerbating the problem.

She said: “There is an appalling standard of grass-cutting and I have received complaints from my ward literally every week.

“It has not been good enough and I think this is contributing to rats inhabiting the grass.”  

Cllr Sue Nolan outside the former Wanstead Police Station.

Conservative Bridge ward councillor John Fairley-Churchill pointed out that residents are charged £70 if their properties are found to be infested with rats, which he believed was leading to issues going unsolved.

The charges were introduced in last year’s budget.

He said: “I don’t see why residents are charged £70 if they have rats on their properties.

“People will not pay this and instead choose to keep it quiet, so nothing will be done to solve the issue.”

Cllr Sharma said he would make sure an investigation is conducted.

He said: “I am not aware of a particular problem in Woodford Bridge but I will make sure it will be attended to.

“Infestations are a serious problem in the borough and I have been contacted many times by people in my ward and across Redbridge.

“I will be meeting urgently with officers to investigate and find a solution.

"But we must put this in perspective, our maintenance crews have been cut in half and had its budget cut by £500,000, we are doing what we can."

Redbridge town hall in Ilford.