Cheltenham residents living in one of the spa town’s most expensive districts have been putting up with a rat infestation for almost two years. People living in Royal Parade Mews, just around the corner from Montpellier Street, say the filthy state of the street, with dozens of commercial bins, has attracted rats who live along the street.
The rats are attracted to food waste in and around the bins and droppings can be seen along the street. The vermin also get under and into the residents’ vehicles.
Oliver Clark, who lives in Royal Parade Mews, says he is so concerned about the filthy state of the street. He and his family are moving in the new year.
“I live on Royal Parade Mews, in the heart of Montpellier… mere meters from Montpellier street,” he said. “Our council tax is amongst the highest in the county.
“Every morning I am woken up by cleaning crews plying their trade on Montpellier Street to great effect. Yet mere meters away, we live in squalor.
“For almost two years now I have been chasing the council, restaurant owners, residential property owners and anyone else who will listen but to no avail. All of the pubs and restaurants on Montpellier Street still put their bins in this road.
The rats are attracted to food waste from the bins and rat droppings can be seen along the street.
(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
“Their bins are totally unmanaged and supporting an ever growing rat population.
“The living rats are everywhere, in our bike store, in the engine bay of my car, infesting the wall of the property across the road. It is really out of control.”
Rahul Faujdar, who also lives on the street, moved in over a year ago and says it has been a horrendous experience. “Just of late I have noticed rats on the premises in my garden as well,” he said.
“The council keeps sending each other emails and nothing really has been achieved. “I believe it is a serious environmental hazard and health and safety breach with hazardous waste, dead rats on a weekly basis on the street.
Dead rats pictured in Royal Parade Mews during the summer
(Image: Submitted)
“The kitchens of the restaurants leaving their doors open whilst there are rats and foxes running around. It’s incomprehensible how this has been allowed to go on for this long. It’s a disgrace how we pay such high council tax and rents.”
Bosses at Liberal Democrat-run Cheltenham Borough Council say the street has been scheduled for a cleanse in the new year. They also say the pest control team baited the area on December 19.
Waste, recycling and public realm cabinet member Izaac Tailford (LD, All Saints) said: “Following recent inspections, teams have confirmed that bins are being emptied and waste removed at the site on Royal Parade Mews.
Rat droppings inside one of the parked vehicles in Royal Parade Mews, Cheltenham
(Image: Submitted)
“The site has since been scheduled for a cleanse to ensure it is free of any detritus. The Pest Control team have baited the area again on 19 December 2024, and have addressed the adjacent private grounds.
“Images have been obtained of items left in situ and the team will pursue enforcement pending evidence analysis.
“A cleansing of the site has been scheduled following road closures on 6 January 2025, with regular cleanings planned to follow this to prevent further issues.
Food waste can be seen under the bins in Royal Parade Mews.
(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
“Community protection warning notices have been issued to local businesses in this vicinity, with daily monitoring being conducted by Cheltenham Borough Council officers.
“If non-compliance persists, this will be escalated to more severe pathways and evidence capturing devices will be considered at the location, this approach aims to effectively mitigate future violations.”