AN ALLEYWAY has become so filthy with fly-tipped waste that one resident wants it gated off to stop the rubbish.

The forsaken ginnel, situated behind a row of houses on Whitebirk Road, Intack, Blackburn, has become a magnet for fly tippers.

John Mcgurk, who has lived on Whitebirk Road for 35 years, wants to see gates erected at both ends of the alley to tackle the problem.

But he said Blackburn with Darwen Council are refusing to put up alley gates as the land is unadopted.

Fly-tippers have dumped bin bags, household and building waste and even a fridge and mattress on the alleyway.

Mr Mcgurk, 59, who lives with his wife Frances, said: “The back alley is between my house and the old bus depot.

“I’ve been onto the council several times about fly-tipping but people keep dumping rubbish.

“I’ve asked for gates either side of the alley but the council keep refusing as it’s unadopted land.

“I feel that gates might stop people bringing their waste and parking their cars and fly-tipping.”

Mr Mcgurk said it wasn’t just outsiders dumping rubbish but also his neighbours.

He said the problem is getting so bad that it is attracting rats to the area.

He said: “I’ve taken photos of bin bags piled up in two houses and they won’t put their bins out.

“There is also household waste that has been dumped outside and a mattress and fridge.

“It really is filthy and it’s attracting rats.

“I’ve seen three dead rats in the alleyway and I’ve caught one rat in my kitchen roof.

“Blackburn is becoming a dumping ground for fly-tippers.

"Alley gates may help."

But borough environment boss Cllr Jim Smith said he was not convinced alley gates work in reducing fly-tipping.

He said: "With things like this, it tends to be people on the block who are fly-tipping and not outside residents.

"So because of this I'm not convinced alley gates work.

"I would encourage anyone who sees fly-tipping to report it."

He added: "This alleyway is unadopted land so the council don't have to clear the waste but we'll do it anyway when we get the chance."

Mr Mcgurk's concerns come after resident Yunus Mangera hit out at similar fly-tipping on unadopted land off Dickens Street, Blackburn last April.