Action Demanded on Southfields Rat Infestation
Problem is at rear of Wimbledon Park Road and Replingham Road
Rubbish pliled up outside disused units and garages is covered with rat droppings. Picture: Katrina Ure
Wandsworth Council is being urged to take action on an increasing problem with rats in Southfields which residents believe is being exacerbated by uncollected waste.
A ‘massive rat infestation’ has been reported at the rear of units at the back of Wimbledon Park Road, Replingham Road and Carlyle Court (the Marks & Spencer modern development).
Katrina Ure, Director of Carlyle Court 2019, said in an email to the council and councillors, “Several units and stores are already badly affected as we are at Carlyle Court in our communal garden on top of Marks. The rats have created burrows etc. Residents are freaked out as have their flats and private terraces on this garden and we are having to keep all our windows and doors closed. We have pest control in but unless the source of the problem is dealt with the problem will continue. The source, of course, is the whole area back there full of rubbish and derelict units.”
Units 235A and 237A on Wimbledon Park Road, which are derelict have been identified as a major source of the problem with a proliferation of rat droppings along with a lot of discarded items and rubbish outside them.
There are also disused garages and several large rubbish bins behind WellBeing Chemist, Starbucks, Momo etc which it is claimed never get collected and all show evidence of rats.
Katrina Ure says that the Freeholders of 235A, 237A and the other units there, Glasshouse Management (formerly Golfrate), have been evasive and not taken action when requested.
She has been told by local shops and residents on Wimbledon Park Road that they have attempted to get the council to clear up the rear of their properties in the past but nothing has been done.
She adds, “This is a huge environmental issue as also health and safety issue for M&S, the Gym, Chanteroy, the Beauty Store, Earthian, as also all the residential units back there and of course the shops along Replingham Road. Rats carry disease and cause havoc if inside buildings destroying wiring, floorboards etc.”
We have asked Wandsworth Council for a comment.
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March 4, 2022