AN aggrieved borough resident, who is still unable to her home after a rat infestation, has slammed Thurrock Council for failing to deal with the problem that has left her family distraught.

It's now more than two weeks since Thurrock Nub News first reported the problem that was discovered when Purfleet housing tenant and grandmother Lisa Clark spotted rats running over the bed of her four-year-old granddaughter at their home on Chieftain Drive.

The problem rapidly escalated as more rodents were spotted in the home and, despite the best efforts of Mc Clark to keep them at bay with poison and traps, ultimately she, her daughter and the child had to move out.

In the wake of our story Cllr Robert Willoughby, cabinet member for Adult Health and Housing Services, apologised and said the council would take remedial action, adding: "We are very sorry for the stress and disruption that this situation has caused the family, and we recognise the particular challenges faced by a household with identified vulnerabilities and support needs."

However, it appears the council has delivered words, not action.

Ms Clark says she and her family still cannot return to the property to live – though they do go back to try and keep it as clean as possible, inside and out.

And she believes the problem is spreading, saying her neighbours can hear rats inside their walls.

She told Nub News: "Although this issue was first reported more than six weeks ago, we now appear to be back at the very beginning, with residents once again hearing scratching noises within the ceilings and walls, the same concerns that were reported over six weeks ago. I thought we were on a path forward but it appears not."

Ms Clark has been supported by her two ward councillors, though they have given differing views to Nub News.

Labour's Aaron Green says: "Despite my continued efforts to work collaboratively with the council to resolve this matter, the investigation remains ongoing, and there has been little evidence of meaningful progress. The bin sheds continue to be left in an unacceptable condition, creating an environment that is likely contributing to the ongoing problems.

"I have repeatedly requested that the relevant officers take a comprehensive approach to addressing the wider environmental issues affecting the area and implement measures to improve conditions overall.

"Unfortunately, these requests do not appear to have resulted in the necessary action, and the same issues continue to persist.

"What is particularly concerning is that the affected family has already suffered the loss of a significant number of personal belongings as a direct consequence of this situation. Despite this, there has been no meaningful compensation, reimbursement, or the support that may be available to help them recover from these losses.

"This situation is unacceptable and now requires urgent intervention. Residents have been living with these issues for an extended period, and confidence in the current process is understandably diminishing.

"I am therefore requesting a clear action plan, including defined timescales and responsibilities, setting out:

• The immediate measures that will be taken to resolve the pest infestation.
• The actions that will be undertaken to address the wider environmental issues in and around the bin storage areas.
• The support that will be provided to the affected family.
• The council's position regarding compensation for the losses already incurred."

Reform Cllr Michelle Heal was much more circumspect in her response to Nub News, saying: "Thank you for making contact regarding Ms Clarke's current ongoing situation.

"I have been fully proactive from day one in supporting Ms Clarke.

"For this reason we will not go into details of the ongoing case.

"My priority has always been, and remains, getting this situation properly resolved for Ms Clark. She deserves to feel safe in her own home and I have confidence that the Council will bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion."

Ms Clark has praised both councillors for taking up her case, and has particularly thanked Cllr Heal, saying: "Michelle has been co-operating with me from day one. She also has been my shoulder to cry on."