A £6 million change is underway to help regenerate some of Liverpool’s most dirty and rat-infested areas, and is entering its next phase into Wavertree this week.
The new scheme sees Liverpool’s 22,000 Victorian terraced properties with small alleyways go from putting bin bags directly behind their homes to having a communal drop point for household waste and recycling.
A further 38,000 wider alleyways that are viable for wheeled bins are also due for refurbishment this year.
The improvement project will also see refurbishment of alleys in poor condition, as well as an education programme to encourage people to recycle.
European-style underground bins that are emptied once a month are also being considered in some areas such as County ward and Anfield.
The council predicts that a total of £1.5 million will be spent by April, with the scheme taking place for another three years.
Cabinet member for streetscene and highways, Councillor James Noakes, said: “We are trying to tackle a multitude of different historical issues which cause significant issues for people living in terraced streets.
“We have a legacy of poor quality housing and investment in infrastructure, exacerbated by the cuts in regeneration spending from Government over the last decade, such as the axing of the housing market renewal scheme.”
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The change has been welcomed by many residents. Mary Ingram, who lives in Toxteth where the scheme is already in place, told JMU Journalism: “There’s been a problem with rubbish here ever since I moved in. I’m glad to finally see some improvement.
“People are always chucking stuff into the alleyway as soon as they’re done with it and you always see rats running around all hours of the day.
“It’s not nice for the kids, I’ve got a four year old grandson and he’s always pointing them out. Since the council came round we’ve definitely been seeing less of them though.”
However, some said the switch was proving difficult. Ruth Evans in Kensington said she was struggling, telling JMU Journalism: “I’m 72 and disabled, and have a hard time carrying out the bags to bins. It’s also an eyesore to have these big plastic bins out on the street, and it’s alright now it’s winter but during summer it’s going to reek.”
The plan is already taking place in Kensington, Toxteth, St Michaels, Riverside, Princess Park and Tuebrook, soon to be continuing into Picton, Wavertree, Anfield and Old Swan.