Rat infestation in Startforth

Startforth is suffering from a rat infestation and residents claim county officers are indifferent to their complaints.

The issue was raised at Startforth Parish Council’s latest meeting by Cllr Jackie Bradley.

She said: “A number of residents have brought it to my attention, but I already knew about it because I have been suffering with rats.

“They are coming out in the day, so that indicates a large infestation. We have killed 22.”

Cllr Peter Worley said he had also been approached by six residents about the problem, all of whom had complained to Durham County Council.

“We have a major problem with the council. All six have got the same answer: ‘we need seven photographs’. You are good if you can get a photograph of one rat.

“We need environmental health on board. I could show them where the nests are, that I know of. I could show them the runs. It is no good sending wardens, we want environmental health.

“They set off in Corn Close. Now there is a big nest in the garden behind me and they have got a run. I am putting poison down every day.

“They are brazenly running across gardens in daylight.”

Clerk to the parish council Judith Mashiter said she had been in touch with the county council’s pest control and had been told that specific information about where the nests are was needed before officers will come out.

She said: “They explained that they will come out to attack the cause, not the symptoms. They said, ‘we can’t patrol the streets to see where the nest is’, so they need to be given information.”

Cllr Jayne Cox said a problem with a rat infestation at Bridgend last year had been attended to by environmental health.

She added: “You could see them running across the road on Ullathorne Rise. Environmental health came out last year, so there must a record of it.”

The village’s county council representative Cllr Jill Campbell said she had been made aware of the problem by Upper Teesdale’s county councillor Richard Bell who had been contacted by residents of Corn Close.

She said she would raise the issue with county officers.