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Rats 'overrunning housing estate' Rats 'overrunning housing estate'
(10 minutes later)
Residents of a housing estate on the outskirts of Belfast have called for more to be done to help them rid their neighbourhood of rats.Residents of a housing estate on the outskirts of Belfast have called for more to be done to help them rid their neighbourhood of rats.
People living in Colinvale area of Poleglass said the problem had become worse since resurfacing work was carried out by the Housing Executive.People living in Colinvale area of Poleglass said the problem had become worse since resurfacing work was carried out by the Housing Executive.
Alesha Mullan, who lives in the area, said she is frightened to let her children play in the back garden.Alesha Mullan, who lives in the area, said she is frightened to let her children play in the back garden.
An executive spokesperson said it was working to eradicate the problem.An executive spokesperson said it was working to eradicate the problem.
Ms Mullan said: "I had a swing for the children and the rats were running across."Ms Mullan said: "I had a swing for the children and the rats were running across."
She said she and her neighbours had contacted the Housing Executive about the problem.She said she and her neighbours had contacted the Housing Executive about the problem.
However, she said it had not done enough to help.However, she said it had not done enough to help.
"We reported it to about six months ago and they came out within four days and put down a rat trap," she said."We reported it to about six months ago and they came out within four days and put down a rat trap," she said.
Local resident, Bernadette Brennan, speaks about the probelm
"They put the box down, but never bothered to follow it up to see if the problem had gone.""They put the box down, but never bothered to follow it up to see if the problem had gone."
On Thursday, a spokesman for the executive said it had "been working closely with our contractor and Lisburn Council to carry out the appropriate work to eradicate this problem".On Thursday, a spokesman for the executive said it had "been working closely with our contractor and Lisburn Council to carry out the appropriate work to eradicate this problem".
"Last week the contractor laid traps in the area and we believe these are beginning to work," he added."Last week the contractor laid traps in the area and we believe these are beginning to work," he added.
"We have also contacted nearby homeowners to clear rubbish from their gardens which may be contributing to this problem."We have also contacted nearby homeowners to clear rubbish from their gardens which may be contributing to this problem.
"The Housing Executive will continue to try and resolve this as soon as possible.""The Housing Executive will continue to try and resolve this as soon as possible."
Sinn Fein Councillor Angela Nelson said she had received a number of complaints from residents in the area.Sinn Fein Councillor Angela Nelson said she had received a number of complaints from residents in the area.
"The mild winters we have been experiencing these past couple of years, plus the early spring warm weather is not helping," she said."The mild winters we have been experiencing these past couple of years, plus the early spring warm weather is not helping," she said.
"The work that has been carried out recently has not helped, because the bins are only being emptied once every two weeks, that is also part of the problem.""The work that has been carried out recently has not helped, because the bins are only being emptied once every two weeks, that is also part of the problem."
Alderman Paul Porter said the council wanted to work with local residents to resolve the problem.Alderman Paul Porter said the council wanted to work with local residents to resolve the problem.
"Local residents have a responsibility when it comes to dealing with their waste, the council has a responsibility as to how it deals with the waste," the DUP representative said."Local residents have a responsibility when it comes to dealing with their waste, the council has a responsibility as to how it deals with the waste," the DUP representative said.
"I believe it is a partnership approach, it is not about blaming anyone, it is about trying to resolve the problem.""I believe it is a partnership approach, it is not about blaming anyone, it is about trying to resolve the problem."