Flats turned to 'slum' after council refuse to collect rubbish
'Our homes look like a slum' - those are the words of residents who have slammed the council for refusing to pick up their rubbish over Christmas and New Year.
More than 20 bags have been allowed to pile up outside the block of flats at Stowe Street in Bloxwich where bins are overflowing.
Resident Julie Whitwood, 51, said she has been sent from 'pillar to post' by the borough council, who are supposed to collect the waste, and landlords Walsall Housing Group (WHG).
The council says it does not collect waste unless it is in the bin store - but residents claim that rubbish left in the correct place has gone uncollected along with the overspill for almost two weeks.
Ms Whitwood said: "The council are turning up and instead of collecting the rubbish they are taking pictures and walking away.
"They pass the buck to WHG because it is their property.
"They have even described it as fly-tipping. It is not fly-tipping - it is all of our rubbish.
"I have already been down to the council to complain to environmental health because this will attract vermin.
"It is like a slum. You wouldn't want to bring any of your family back here its embarrassing.
"At the end of the day I pay my council tax to the council to collect the rubbish."
Fellow resident Janet Grainger added that the indoor bin store was not big enough for all of the extra bags which had been generated over Christmas.
She said: "There are 12 families here many of them with children. They are not just going to have a few black bags between them are they?"
In response ward councillor Lee Jeavons said: "I am aware of the problems there and I have asked the council to chase up WHG to find a resolution.
"We will collect refuse as long as it is put correctly in the bin store. But if it is in a position which is dangerous for our people to get at, it becomes WHG's problem. That's our policy."
Gary Brookes, Director of Housing at WHG said: "Our team of Neighbourhood Impact Officers regularly inspects refuse areas to check that rubbish has been stored correctly to ensure that it is removed by the council.
"Now our offices have reopened after the Christmas break, we are working with the council to ensure that any excess rubbish that has built up over the holiday period is removed."
