Residents refuse to give up fight

Theobald House Residents Association claims no one has collected rubbish from their flats in Blackman Street, Brighton, for more than three weeks.

Association secretary Ian Hills said it was the tip of an iceberg of problems affecting their quality of life.

Mr Hills, 44, said he was constantly ringing and writing to Brighton and Hove City Council, which is responsible for the block.

He said: "Nothing gets done. Several of the floors in the block have got cracks and concrete has come away from ceilings in the stairwells.

"Pigeons' droppings come through the gaps in the ceiling of the meeting room, which a lot of the elderly residents use.

"The lifts have not been changed since they were first installed in 1966 and the building hasn't been painted since then either.

"We've been waiting four years for a new washing machine, as we only have one at the moment, and two new dryers. The money for these comes out of our rent and service charges.

"Now there is the problem with the rubbish. It often takes a couple of weeks to be cleared but this is the worst it has ever been.

"It's a public health hazard and it stinks.

"We are worried about disease and rats. It is extremely unhygienic. I can smell the rubbish when I get in the lift. We have been given a number of excuses.

"One of them was the dustmen could not get through because of building work but I know there was a ramp available. I have been making sure they have access."

Mr Hills, who has lived in the block for five years and bought his flat from the council last year, says he will move if things do not improved.

A council spokeswoman said the rubbish was due to be cleared yesterday.

She said: "We do know about the rubbish and are expecting it to be cleared.

"Our records show there has been regular collections to the property in the past few weeks.

"One of our housing officer has had a meeting with Mr Hills last week, where concerns were voiced. These will be dealt with in due course."