The overgrown service lane at the rear of Danby Terrace.

An Exmouth dad says he is fed up with the service lane at the back of his home, which he believes is a health hazard.

Darren Pridham, of Danby Terrace, says the lane – which runs in between his road and Belvedere Road – is overgrown, frequently full of litter, and may contain rats.

He said: “I came out the back gate one day and there was, I would say a rat, a large rodent which went down the alley and into the main road.

“The lane is overgrown and used as a dumping ground. You get dog litter, vodka bottles – it’s just disgusting.

“I’ve got a young family – there are lots of people in the street with young families – and I feel I should have the right that my children can walk out the back of their house without walking into rubbish and whatever else people leave there.”

Darren says he had been told that the local authorities did not own the land, and therefore would not take responsibility for cleaning it.

Last year he was told that in fact the lane belonged to Devon County Council, with East Devon District Council being responsible for litter.

But the councils have now said this was an error, and that they are not responsible for the lane after all – instead suggesting it belongs to the residents, which Darren insists is not the case.

He said: “I’ve been through my deeds, and so have neighbours in Danby Terrace and Belvedere Road, and the lane’s not on them.”

A spokesman for EDDC said that it was an error in the council’s computer mapping system which caused the confusion.

He said: “Our technical officer has written to the complainant advising him of this error and explaining that in view of the new information EDDC will not be maintaining the area.

“An environmental health officer has visited the lane and investigated the matter and at that time there was no evidence of rat activity.

“There was some litter and, although the land is not our responsibility, as a goodwill gesture our StreetScene officers visited Danby Terrace and picked up what rubbish there was, which was less than half a black bag full.”