The British Army has been called upon to assist with Birmingham’s escalating waste crisis, as uncollected rubbish continues to pile up due to ongoing bin strikes, leading to a surge in pest infestations.
With over 17,000 tonnes of garbage left rotting on the streets, the government has declared a major incident in the city.
The situation stems from industrial action by Unite members in protest against Birmingham City Council’s proposed cuts to bin collection and recycling roles.
Although soldiers won’t be clearing the rubbish themselves, they will provide behind-the-scenes logistical support to help manage the crisis, according to MailOnline.
A government spokesperson stated: “We have already deployed staff to assist the council with logistics and ensure a swift response to public health concerns. Due to the ongoing health risks, a small team of military personnel with operational planning experience has also been made available to support the council.”
The strike, driven by proposed pay cuts and job downgrades, has already lasted several weeks and may continue into summer. As a result, the streets have become breeding grounds for rats and cockroaches, prompting a surge in pest control callouts.
Local residents say they’ve stopped taking out their bins, which are overflowing.
Hunt, who lives in central Birmingham, shared: “I’m not putting out my bins until they’re emptied. I’ve been told a private contractor might come today, but if this continues, the smell will get worse and rubbish will just be dumped next to the bins. Luckily, I haven’t seen any rats yet.”
Pest control professionals are feeling the pressure, with William Timms, owner of WJ Pest Solutions, reporting a 75% rise in callouts.
“The situation is only going to deteriorate further,” he warned.
