Residents of Longfellow Street in Toxteth have spoken out about life blighted by rats and anti-social behaviour, with one saying she is "terrified to come out" of her home after 7pm.
Residents' fears and daily struggles
Mabel Wilson, 79, who has lived on the street longer than anyone, told the ECHO: "Of a night-time the noise is horrendous. The kids just gather out there, and well nobody seems to chase them away, so I just shut my door at seven o'clock every night. When that's going on outside, I’m too terrified to come out."
She has also had to invest in new blinds due to a bright light left on over the road. She said: "I've complained night after night, because of the big light being left on over the road. My bedroom's like Blackpool illuminations. I had to put thick curtains up on my bedroom window."
Rodent infestation and waste issues
For others, the main concern is the recent influx of rodents. Mabel's daughter-in-law, who lives a few doors down, said: "The [communal] bins at the top, they get full really quickly because the shops are using them as well. That then increases the rodent population because the bin bags are getting left on the side, because they're not able to fit into the bin.
"If you look at it right now, you can see that the lid at the top is up, which means the rats can get in it. We've seen them running down the street. Literally just yesterday when my Iceland delivery arrived, one ran over the man's foot and down the street."
She added: "My family aren't from here, they're from Huyton originally, but I've lived here with my husband for a long time. The decline in the area in terms of the cleanliness and just the feel of it ... it doesn't feel the same. It was once a very welcoming and clean area, and now it's overrun with rodents.
"We've got a takeaway on the corner and people do come and just sit and eat in their cars, and then throw the rubbish out. There's no regard for the fact people actually live in the street, they just come, eat, and throw their stuff on the floor."
Smell and road safety concerns
Michael Simon, who has lived on Longfellow Street for more than two decades, said he and his wife have had to move to the back of the house because of the rats. He said: "We moved into the back of the house because we can't keep the front windows open overnight anymore because there's that many rats around here."
Residents also claim a "horrendous smell" is coming from a drain halfway down the road. Maureen, who lives with her daughter on the street, said: "The smell is unbelievable. The council has been out, all they do is give it a spray. They're not getting to the problem that's in there. They need to put some rods or something down there. They're just washing it, but the s***'s still there." She has covered the drain with a mat.
Michael also raised concerns about cars ignoring the one-way system. He said: "I'll always be arguing with people. People make mistakes, but you're actually saying to people, like, 'Can't you see them two big signs there?' People are taking the p**s. Eventually, it ends up in tragedy."
Council response
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "We understand the concerns that have been raised by residents of Longfellow Street and want to reassure people that reports relating to waste, pests, anti-social behaviour and road safety are taken seriously. We are working closely with partners in the area to tackle these issues.
"Everyone has a role to play in keeping neighbourhoods clean, safe and pleasant places to live. Residents, visitors, and businesses all have a responsibility to dispose of their waste correctly and avoid behaviour that negatively impacts those living nearby.
"Where concerns are raised about businesses disposing of commercial waste incorrectly or using residential waste facilities, we will investigate and take appropriate enforcement action if necessary. We have been in touch with businesses on and around Longfellow Street and our enforcement teams have taken action against fly-tipping in the area. Businesses are legally responsible for ensuring their waste is managed appropriately.
"Poor waste management can create conditions that attract pests and exacerbate problems such as rat infestations. Residents who experience issues with rats can report them online, and we offer free domestic visits to assess and treat reported infestations where appropriate.
"We also recognise concerns regarding disruption from late-night activity associated with food outlets. Businesses should be mindful of their impact on neighbouring residents, particularly during evening and early morning hours, and customers are encouraged to respect the local community when leaving premises.
"Road safety regulations, including one-way systems and parking restrictions, exist to protect all road users and to ensure access is maintained for emergency vehicles. We work closely with Merseyside Police and other partners to address reports of dangerous driving and traffic violations, and enforcement action can be taken where offences are identified.
"We remain committed to working closely with communities across L8 and, as part of our engagement programme, have been listening to residents, businesses and community organisations about the issues that matter most to them. The feedback we receive helps us better understand local concerns, shape priorities, and ensure that future decisions reflect the needs and experiences of the people who live and work in the area.
"We encourage residents to continue reporting issues through the appropriate council channels, as this helps us target resources effectively and respond to concerns within the community."
