Opposition parties have described the £24 charge as a “rat tax” but the authority said it was cheaper than neighbouring authorities.

“The rats are huge – they are like small cats and their tails are really chunky,” said Kim Blakeman, who has lived on Drews Lane for 16 years.

“They are in and out of our recycling bins and since HS2 has started across the road we’ve had more of an influx.

“The council don’t bother litter picking our road anymore. People fly-tip and it’s a perfect nesting site and the rats come and feed in our bins.”

Teacher Mariya Malik contacted the BBC after a relative’s car was damaged by rats chewing cables for a third time.

“The car wouldn’t start and that cost us around £120. It’s not a fortune but £120 when it’s not your fault – it’s quite upsetting,” she said.

“When you sit in your car in the morning there is just so much anxiety, is it going to start or have the rats attacked again? Fly-tipping isn’t helping, the bin strike hasn’t helped.”

Ms Malik’s neighbour Ali said he had found a “rat’s nest” on his car’s battery.