'It's over-run with rats': Residents of Southall housing estate are fed up at the state of the area

Residents of a Southall housing estate are fed up that their neighbourhood "hasn't been cleaned for years".

London & Quadrant (L&Q) housing association tenants, in Norwood Green , claim they put up with constant rubbish dumping and pest infestations.

Week on week, furniture, boxes and all kinds of rubbish is dumped outside the homes of families and elderly residents, many of whom have lived in the area for decades.

Diana Edwards is sick and tired of seeing the mess when she leaves her home, and thinks the estate has been in decline for 20 years.

She told getwestlondon : "What we're having to put up with is rubbish all over the place for weeks and months on end.

"We've been putting up with people dumping their rubbish for many years and it's worse than ever.

"The grass is always overgrown, we're infected with rats and pigeons, we've tried everything.

"I'm woken up every morning at 5 o'clock by pigeons.

"I've complained to London & Quadrant and written to the ombudsman too."

Mrs Brock, who also lives on the estate, added: "They haven't cleaned the area in four years.

"It's over-run with rats and mice."

L&Q, which owns and manages more than 90,000 homes across London and the South East, has responded to residents' complaints.

A spokesman for the housing association said: “I’m sorry to hear that one of our residents has concerns about Norwood Estate.

"Our estates are cleaned and maintained during fortnightly visits.

"The service includes regular maintenance of hedges, lawn areas and litter picking.

"Our staff then carry out monthly estate inspections and health and safety checks to ensure that services are being delivered to the highest standard possible and that residents are happy with the service.

"We are aware that people who don’t live on the estate have been fly-tipping.

"Our property managers and caretakers work with the local council to remove bulk rubbish from the estate and to identify and prosecute perpetrators where appropriate.

"We would encourage residents to report any illegal fly tipping and will work with residents to tackle such issues.

"We are happy to work with estate residents to identify and address any areas of concern.

"Residents can reach us at lqdirect@lqgroup.org.uk"

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