A PROGRAMME has been established to resolve a rat problem which is making the lives of nearby residents a misery.

Those living in the Westbrook Cresent area have reported a ‘massive rat issue’ to Warrington Borough Council, with ‘the whole area covered in them’.

It is believed that the rats are breeding in the pond near the traffic lights at Asda, with reports of them ‘running up and down’ Westbrook Crescent.

This is not the first time rats have been reported in the area, with measures put in place in December 2019 to tackle the issue.

But the problem still remains, and it is causing much concern for those living in the vicinity.

One resident said: “The whole area is covered in them, and as I sit in my living room writing this I can see three in the street.

“Yesterday I nearly ran two over in my car just leaving the street.

Warrington Guardian: Rat sightings along Westbrook CrescentRat sightings along Westbrook Crescent

“I have contacted the council numerous times and they fail to do anything. I have also contacted Asda and Odeon for help but to no avail. We cannot carry on like this.

“I have four children and I am afraid to let them play out do to the heavy rat situation. I am also very concerned about other people with them around so much.”

In response a council spokesman said: “The last time we received a complaint of rat sightings in the Westbrook Crescent area, we undertook a baiting programme on council-owned land.

“This was maintained for several months and the bait stations soon indicated a significant reduction in rodent activity after the initial treatment.

“Sewer baiting was also carried out as part of the borough-wide schedule and will be considered for this year’s programme if necessary.

“The pond area at Westbrook was inspected last week and a follow-up treatment programme has been established to run until March 2022, when the situation will be reviewed.

“We are only able to set up bait stations on council-owned land, and rodent activity in the area is not confined to sites within our ownership.

“Therefore, there is also a role for private landowners in the area to investigate issues on their own land and put the necessary control measures in place to reduce rodent activity.”

The spokesman added that residents can report rodent sightings to the council online via warrington.gov.uk/report