This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv43xmrnjko

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rubbish piles high in Birmingham as bin strike drags on Rubbish piles high in Birmingham as bin strike drags on
(33 minutes later)
Piled-up rubbish is several feet high on some streets, looming over windows, walls and hedges 'You can smell the stench': Why rubbish is piling up on Birmingham streets
Daily life in Birmingham amid an ongoing bin strike has become "tremendously difficult", residents said.Daily life in Birmingham amid an ongoing bin strike has become "tremendously difficult", residents said.
Piles of bin bags have grown high on some city streets, as a pay dispute between workers and the city council drags on.Piles of bin bags have grown high on some city streets, as a pay dispute between workers and the city council drags on.
Roads have been overrun by rats, many hit by cars and lying dead in the road, people told the BBC.Roads have been overrun by rats, many hit by cars and lying dead in the road, people told the BBC.
As the weather turns warmer and the stench of rotting waste increases, neither side is giving in with the Unite union warning the dispute could run until the summer and council leader John Cotton ruling out giving bin workers pay concessions.As the weather turns warmer and the stench of rotting waste increases, neither side is giving in with the Unite union warning the dispute could run until the summer and council leader John Cotton ruling out giving bin workers pay concessions.
Residents spoke about a "plague of rats and cockroaches" and in Balsall Heath, three miles south of the city centre, Matthew Howes watched foxes piling in to tear open the black plastic bags.Residents spoke about a "plague of rats and cockroaches" and in Balsall Heath, three miles south of the city centre, Matthew Howes watched foxes piling in to tear open the black plastic bags.
He described "the stench of rubbish hanging over the whole area" and said he feared rats might bite children in a nearby playground.He described "the stench of rubbish hanging over the whole area" and said he feared rats might bite children in a nearby playground.
Dan O'Brien, who lives in the centre of the city, saw four dead rats on his morning walk on Thursday, in a scene he described as "absolutely shocking".Dan O'Brien, who lives in the centre of the city, saw four dead rats on his morning walk on Thursday, in a scene he described as "absolutely shocking".
Stephen Message said he was angry at bin bags being stacked six feet high, up to the top of a hedgeStephen Message said he was angry at bin bags being stacked six feet high, up to the top of a hedge
Neither of the men said they blamed the bin workers.Neither of the men said they blamed the bin workers.
Mr Howes pointed his finger at austerity measures in place since the financial crisis while Mr O'Brien said: "I empathise with workers' rights but day-to-day life is tremendously difficult."Mr Howes pointed his finger at austerity measures in place since the financial crisis while Mr O'Brien said: "I empathise with workers' rights but day-to-day life is tremendously difficult."
In Hockley, about a mile north-west of the city centre, an area where bin bags are stacked six feet high, questions were asked about the local authority.In Hockley, about a mile north-west of the city centre, an area where bin bags are stacked six feet high, questions were asked about the local authority.
"Why has the council left it to this point to not end the dispute?" Stephen Message asked."Why has the council left it to this point to not end the dispute?" Stephen Message asked.
Judith Warley said it looked like "the entrance to the tip" outside her house with bags above waist heightJudith Warley said it looked like "the entrance to the tip" outside her house with bags above waist height
As nature takes over the streets, it's not just rats, cockroaches and foxes.As nature takes over the streets, it's not just rats, cockroaches and foxes.
Judith Warley, also in Hockley, said she had seen bags being attacked by seagulls and cats, with the plastic starting to split.Judith Warley, also in Hockley, said she had seen bags being attacked by seagulls and cats, with the plastic starting to split.
Ms Warley, who uses a mobility scooter, said bags were piled waist high - in some places completely blocking the pavement.Ms Warley, who uses a mobility scooter, said bags were piled waist high - in some places completely blocking the pavement.
Warning over ratsWarning over rats
One pest control company reported a 75% increase in calls for its help.One pest control company reported a 75% increase in calls for its help.
William Timms, from WJ Pest Solutions, said: "There are rats in front gardens, back and gaining access because of the bins being left out."William Timms, from WJ Pest Solutions, said: "There are rats in front gardens, back and gaining access because of the bins being left out."
He said the city was "going to be inundated" and described the situation as unbelievable.He said the city was "going to be inundated" and described the situation as unbelievable.
Mr Timms advised people to try to keep their rubbish bags high off the ground and away from walls so the rats could not get on to them.Mr Timms advised people to try to keep their rubbish bags high off the ground and away from walls so the rats could not get on to them.
But some areas have escaped the piles of rubbish.But some areas have escaped the piles of rubbish.
People living in Cotteridge and Bournville said while their recycling was ignored, waste had been collected on schedule every week.People living in Cotteridge and Bournville said while their recycling was ignored, waste had been collected on schedule every week.
Residents have reported seeing cockroaches, foxes and rats around the piles of rubbishResidents have reported seeing cockroaches, foxes and rats around the piles of rubbish
What had been a city-wide issue is now the focus of MPs on both sides of the Commons.What had been a city-wide issue is now the focus of MPs on both sides of the Commons.
The Labour MP for Edgbaston, Preet Gill, has repeatedly described the situation as approaching a public health emergency, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch attacked Labour with the line: "If you vote Labour, you get trash."The Labour MP for Edgbaston, Preet Gill, has repeatedly described the situation as approaching a public health emergency, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch attacked Labour with the line: "If you vote Labour, you get trash."
Unite's national lead officer, Onay Kasab, called for clarity on key points including the number of workers affected by the pay dispute and the amount of money they stand to lose – both are issues the union and council have failed to agree on.Unite's national lead officer, Onay Kasab, called for clarity on key points including the number of workers affected by the pay dispute and the amount of money they stand to lose – both are issues the union and council have failed to agree on.
At the city council, Cotton claimed making pay concessions to the largely male bin collecting workforce could reopen equal pay issues that have beset the authority.At the city council, Cotton claimed making pay concessions to the largely male bin collecting workforce could reopen equal pay issues that have beset the authority.
Meanwhile the council advice to residents continues to be to put household waste out as normal, as talks between the authority and the union carry on.Meanwhile the council advice to residents continues to be to put household waste out as normal, as talks between the authority and the union carry on.
People have taken their waste to mobile trucks, tips and used private firms during the strikePeople have taken their waste to mobile trucks, tips and used private firms during the strike
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.