Car park food dumping 'causing infestation'
Reny ThomasResidents are calling for CCTV at a car park over concerns food dumping and bird feeding have led to an "infestation of nuisance birds and rats".
Reny Thomas, who has lived next to Albert Park in Middlesbrough for a year, described the site as "a dumping ground for food waste".
Independent councillor Joan McTigue said another resident had previously left the area due to the "rat problem increasing".
Middlesbrough Council said "do not feed the birds" signs were in place and it was investigating an alleged littering offence following a complaint.
Thomas said he has asked the Labour-run local authority to install CCTV to catch those dumping food.
The 38-year-old said: "For some time now the parking area has become a dumping ground for food waste rather than the usual regular litter.
"This has led to a severe infestation of rats and nuisance birds, which is creating an unhygienic and distressing environment for residents and visitors."
Reny ThomasMcTigue said the previous resident had documented taxis pulling up and dumping food.
"One contacted me and said he was going to move house because of it and he did eventually," she said.
"Here we are two years later and another resident is saying the same thing, it's not good enough."
She said the situation was "unacceptable and disgraceful".
Ian Blades, the council's executive member for neighbourhoods, said fly-tipping was "lazy and anti-social".
He said: "We are determined to stamp it out, and those responsible must know they are not above the law, and are liable to end up out of pocket and with a criminal record.
"We can only do this with the support of the public, and I am enormously grateful for their help in our ongoing drive to put an end to this blight on our town."
