Residents say a Blackburn back alley has become a ‘huge fly-tip’ with more and more rubbish piled up every day, including excrement.
The back alley behind St Ives Road and Margaret Street in Intack is strewn with rubbish and household furniture.
The alleyway is accessible from Shadsworth Road, close to the traffic lights, and the rubbish cannot be seen from the main road.
However, a short walk away are bin bags and other rubbish piled up alongside back yards and blocking a section of the passageway.
Blackburn with Darwen Council said it had issued fixed penalty notices but had not been able to take further action as those complaining had not been able to 'provide a witness statement'.
They encouraged residents to work with the council to challenge those dumping rubbish.
A resident who lives in the area said the alleyway had become worse over the summer and called for something to be done.
She said: “I have been speaking to the council for several months, and nothing seems to have been done.
“I have even sent in complaints and also gone through the bags and sent in addresses which were found in there.
“It does not appear to have made any difference. We get asked to send in evidence and pictures, and I have done so.
“I am not sure what else to do and wanted to make people aware.”
The area does not appear to be private land.
The resident said the rubbish was being left there by people who live in the area.
She said: “It is people living here.
“Some of the people are really house proud, but there are others who have no respect for others and are dumping rubbish.
“How can they just think it is okay to do this?
“I found a dead rat the other day. It is disgusting. How do people expect us to live like this?
“There are bags at the end of the alleyway on Shadsworth Road now.”
Service lead for environmental operations at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Mark Wilde, said: “Our Environmental Crime Team regularly responds to residents’ concerns about fly-tipping in the alleyway behind Margaret Street and St Ives Road.
“Through these visits, we have identified evidence linked to several incidents, which have led to fixed penalty notices being issued.
"Where these notices are not paid, cases are then referred to court for prosecution.
“We understand that many residents witness fly-tipping and sometimes challenge those responsible.
"However, when asked to provide a witness statement, most prefer not to. Without this support, it becomes difficult for us to take further action.
“We would really value residents working with us, as their engagement makes a big difference in tackling this issue together.
“In the meantime, we kindly remind residents that responsibility for maintaining the alleyway rests with them, and we appreciate their ongoing efforts in keeping the area clean and safe.”
According to the council’s website, it cannot remove fly tipping that has been dumped on privately maintained land, but it can investigate this to try and identify the offender.
It adds: "You can report fly tipping online; however, if further action is require,d then we may need to contact you to discuss the offence further."
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