Swarms of rats have taken over squalid and abandoned properties as the neighbourhood becomes a cesspit.
The infestation was uncovered as the rats have begun to move on from the abandoned homes and are now visiting occupied terraces across the road.
Daily Record reports that the rats are 'playing havoc with residents’ lives' as a group of ten-strong vermin thronged at a back garden hut.
Concerned residents also claim that one leapt out of a grey wheelie bin into a woman’s face, another flew out of a cupboard inside a house and a brazen rat took over a bird table to feast.
Renfrewshire Council stands accused of abandoning Maple Drive and have failed to pick up mounting rubbish for months.
Blocks in neighbouring Cedar Avenue and Elm Drive have previously been demolished and new homes built.
But there’s been no movement in Maple Drive, with 42 flats left boarded and abandoned for nearly two years.
Trash including sofas, tables, a mattress and other junk is piled high in places. Thieves have also gone inside to rip out metal for scrap.
Gordon Stewart, 40, said: “These rats are having a party – they are not even scared of barking dogs. No council staff come up here to clean up. My wife is out every day filling bags and trying to help.
“They need to come here and look at the conditions we are being forced to live in. It is disgraceful. Guys in vans see the place is in such a mess and just dump more waste and rubble. And taxi drivers have been seen going to the toilet.”
Alan Scobie said MSP Tom Arthur had helped get the area tidied a year ago – but nothing has been done since.
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He added: “After Tom got involved the council promised to keep an eye on the area, which they have not. The council have been told for months there is a problem and they've done nothing.
“They have also been asked to remove overgrown hedges up and down the street which provides rat cover and has done nothing.”
Mr Arthur, the area’s former MSP and now SNP candidate, has pledged to find out what is going on.
He said: “My office will contact Mr Scobie and raise the matter directly with the council.”
Renfrewshire Council claimed work is now underway to clear the mess.
A spokesman said: “Fly-tipping is illegal, unsightly and harmful to the environment and should not take place at any time, for any reason.
“Our team have begun removing the fly-tipping today and once complete, they will ensure that any problems with pests are addressed and will assess what other measures can be put in place to prevent this reoccurring.
“We encourage residents to report all instances of fly-tipping to us, along with any evidence they have as to who carried it out and we will do all we can ensure those responsible are caught.
“We are working hard to improve our local environment in Renfrewshire so let’s work together to stop fly-tipping happening in our area.”
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