One councillor said: “People can’t take pride in their area if the council can’t do the basic work of keeping it clean”
Alison Buckley has been trying to get her alleyway cleared. (Image: Copyright Unknown)
A woman fears the overgrown weeds in the alleyway behind her home could attract rats. Alison Buckley has been trying to get Wirral Council to clear the entry, with no luck so far.
At a full council meeting on October 13, Oxton councillor Allan Brame raised concerns about the council’s weed control contract. He said alleyways in the borough were supposed to be cleared three times a year but “it seems to me there has been no attempt to deal with weeds in several alleyways in Oxton.”
He said he’d reported alleyways off Gorsefield Road, Singleton Avenue, Woodchurch Road, Enfield Terrace, Balfour Road, and Bentley Road at least once already this year and asked for answers about why nothing had been done.
Environment committee chair Cllr Liz Grey in response said clearing alleyways was part of the council’s weed control contract and the council was taking up the issue with contractors.
She said the local authority would look at withholding payments if alleyway treatments were not effective, adding the contract was up for renewal next year and they would be investigating the issue further.
Alison Buckley told the ECHO that while she tries to keep the area outside her house on Balfour Road clear, she’s had no luck in getting the alleyway behind her home cleared.
She added: “I have been told they are meant to clean it every four weeks but it doesn’t look like they have done it at all.”
While other alleyways were worse, Alison said she was worried the weeds and rubbish may attract rats. She also said things had been so bad people had taken matters into their own hands to clear an alleyway in the area.
Cllr Brame said he was frustrated as he was raising issues but then not seeing any action as a result, telling the ECHO: “They have said they are going to monitor the situation, I don’t want monitoring, I want weeds cleared.”
Oxton councillor Allan Brame said people could not take pride in their area if they were left overgrown with weeds(Image: Copyright Unknown)
In 2024, Wirral councillors voted for a one-off investment aimed at cleaning up the borough. Among many things, one of these was to clear up alleyways and grotspots.
Cllr Brame said: “There was progress last year, they did an excellent job but then if it’s not maintained, the weeds and the rubbish come back. It’s something you need to keep on top of.
“Access can be difficult and flytipping can get in the way but it’s the broken window syndrome. If you do not keep on top of this, the area gradually deteriorates.
“People can’t take pride in their area if the council can’t do the basic work of keeping it clean.”
Cllr Grey when approached about the issues on Balfour Road said alleyways in Oxton were due to be re-treated and the issue would be resolved soon.