Disabled man has to clean his own estate

Asbestosis sufferer Idwal Williams, 63, of Alexandra Close, Clayton-le-Moors, claimed his attempts to move abroad have been hampered as rubbish, and neglected housing, have put off potential buyers.

And he has now resorted to going out with a bin bag to pick up rubbish because he claims Hyndburn Council's road sweeper never comes down his street.

Clayton-le-Moors councillor Tim O'Kane is backing Mr Williams, and said he had a lot of sympathy for certain residents in Alexandra Close.

Today Coun Ann Scaife, the council's portfolio holder for environmental issues, said: "We are aware of the problem and are working with colleagues in environmental health to investigate these issues."

Mr Williams is one of three householders in the street, close to Mercer Park, who bought their council houses, and has spent thousands of pounds improving it. He has lived in the house since it was built. Mr Williams said household rubbish was falling out of dumped rubbish bags.

He said: "I have asbestosis and I am on oxygen a lot of the time. I am planning to move abroad because the warmer climate would really help me, but I cannot do that without selling this house.

"I have had many viewers who all really like it, but I don't get any offers because of the area. It has devalued my house.

"There is broken fencing and rubbish all down the street.

"I have asked the council road sweeper why he doesn't come down here, and he said he only does the back streets.

"There are always cats and dogs ripping open the rubbish bags, dumped by people on the estate, and I have seen rats running about as well.

"I have found syringes and leftover drug material dumped in a bin on the lamppost outside my house, which never seems to get emptied.

"The fact I am having to clean the street myself is disgusting."

Another home owner in Alexandra Close, Annette Beard, said: "This used to be a lovely estate, but they have let it get so run down nobody wants to come here any more."