Residents of a Dundee block of flats say they have been left with a “stinking mountain” of rubbish outside their homes.
People living in the flats at Hillbank Place, just off Dens Road, claim the pile of waste has been growing over the past 10 weeks – with no one prepared to dispose of it.
They claim they have asked the council to take the rubbish away but so far, the rubbish remains.
And the residents say they have not been given an explanation for the lack of action.
Pile of rubbish ‘several metres deep’
There are now fears over the health implications and fire risks.
Donna Stewart, who lives in the block, said: “It’s become unbearable. The pile of rubbish is as high as me and it’s several metres deep.
“It’s a stinking mountain. There is rotten food, filthy nappies, used needles and dirty sanitary towels among the mass of domestic rubbish.
“You can now no longer even access the bins, even if they were empty for use.
“Instead the pile of rubbish just grows bigger and bigger with no sign of it being removed.
“We are at our wits’ end and despite repeated calls to Dundee City Council it has still not been removed.”
Fears over foxes and rats
Fellow resident Margaret Whyte, 60, told The Courier residents have been complaining to the council for “weeks”.
She said: “Occasionally the bin lorry will come along but the bin men take one look at the pile and refuse to move it.
“I have seen foxes at the pile and am convinced I even saw a rat one day. There are also lots of flies.
“It’s inevitable we will get vermin as many of the bags are ripped apart with rotten food spilling out everywhere.
“It is absolutely disgusting. I can’t even open my windows for the stench.”
Margaret says her husband Billy – also 60 – can no longer position his mobility scooter outside to charge it because the rubbish is in the way.
She added: “Not only that, there is a gas cupboard beside the rubbish and we are terrified that if a fire starts in the rubbish we will be blown sky high.”
Council making plans to clear mess
When contacted by The Courier about the residents’ complaints, a spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “We have made arrangements for the excess waste accumulated at the location to be uplifted.
“Residents are asked to present their bins for collection in the usual fashion going forward.”
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