East London: disgusting video shows rats scurrying around Stratford area where they have taken over

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East London residents fear their area is being taken over by rats after a sudden increase in the number scurrying around since the summer.

It’s not unusual for residents to spot dozens of rats scurrying back and forth on Angel Lane, which is located next to a railway line in Stratford, Newham.

One resident, Marina Meier, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the rats have been an ongoing problem for ‘years’, and said she has been reaching out to multiple authorities to try and tackle the issue. But recently things appear to have escalated. At one point the situation got so bad Ms Meier and other residents would often find rats hiding behind bins or feeding off food in the bin store which is on their estate.

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Despite it being freezing cold when the LDRS visited Angel Lane in November, around 20 rats were spotted in the space of an hourDespite it being freezing cold when the LDRS visited Angel Lane in November, around 20 rats were spotted in the space of an hour
Despite it being freezing cold when the LDRS visited Angel Lane in November, around 20 rats were spotted in the space of an hour | Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon/LDRS

Land next to the railway line where rats are often seen darting around is owned and maintained by Network Rail. A spokesperson told the LDRS they have been clearing overgrown bushes and removing fly-tipped waste to try to tackle the problem. Speaking to the LDRS, Ms Meier said: “It’s crazy, I’ve emailed the council repeatedly, I’ve emailed the housing association that own our development, I’ve emailed the MP, I’ve emailed the press, I’ve emailed Network Rail but no one is really taking responsibility.

“In the summer you would walk around to go to the station and you would count at least three to four rats and you would have to dodge them – on the council estate you would see them with more litter in their mouth.” Ms Meier added: “Network Rail told me they were going to clear all the rubbish and cut all the weeds but I [didn’t see anything happen for weeks].”

She said joint action is needed by the council and Network Rail to get on top of the issue. Despite it being freezing cold when the LDRS visited Angel Lane last month, around 20 rats were spotted in the space of an hour. Leo Capella, another resident living in the area, says he first noticed the problem a few months ago, when he discovered a huge infestation of rats running in and around the estate he lives on.

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He went onto Facebook to discover he wasn’t the only one who had witnessed the infestation, as residents often share their frustrations over a lack of action with the rats. Mr Capella said: “I know the sort of fiscal reality, but given the environmental health stuff, it’s a question of who needs to be proactive irrespective of what on earth is being done, so to speak.

Leo Capella, another resident living in the area, says he first noticed the problem a few months agoLeo Capella, another resident living in the area, says he first noticed the problem a few months ago
Leo Capella, another resident living in the area, says he first noticed the problem a few months ago | Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon/LDRS

“I think probably across this city it’s a reminder that these sorts of things can and do happen if proper steps are not taken to put them in check.” He went on to explain why he thinks the area has become a hotspot for rats: “What I think has happened is that it’s rubbish that has built up to a point, where rats have found the area and the undergrowth has probably come up.

“This is a very busy main line, it’s the Great Eastern Main Line, right up to Ipswich and Norwich so that means keeping an eye out on stuff because otherwise in a growing city, you do not want growing environmental and public health menaces to be part of the equation and that’s really what this is about.”

When the LDRS got in touch with Network Rail, a spokesperson said they were aware of the issue, and said it could be caused by possible fly-tipping on the land between nearby flats and the railway. They added: “Our teams cleared the overgrown vegetation in November, and the fly-tipped waste was removed shortly after. We are now keeping an eye on the area for any changes in vermin activity and working with Newham Council and the local community to maintain a clean and safe environment.”

Network Rail said it was aware of the issue, and said it could be caused by possible fly-tipping on the land between nearby flats and the railwayNetwork Rail said it was aware of the issue, and said it could be caused by possible fly-tipping on the land between nearby flats and the railway
Network Rail said it was aware of the issue, and said it could be caused by possible fly-tipping on the land between nearby flats and the railway | Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon/LDRS

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A spokesperson for Newham Council said: “The issue is largely on land owned and maintained by Network Rail but the council has notified its pest control contractor to visit any land it owns around Angel Lane to look at what measures could be undertaken.”

The LDRS also got in touch with the housing association, L&Q, which is responsible for some of the flats near to Angel Lane. Matt Foreman, Executive Group Director, Customer Services at L&Q, said: “The wellbeing of our residents is our top priority, and we are committed to working with Network Rail and the local authority to eradicate the problem.

“Whilst L&Q is not responsible for maintaining this area of land, we want to make sure that our residents are happy in their homes, so have appointed our own pest control specialists to help solve the issue.”

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