"Look at the condition we're living in. I've lived here for 64 years, I came to this country at 16 I've never seen it this bad. I'm sick, he says. I try my best. At the end of the day, I just want my area clean. That's all I want. Piles of bin bags, broken glass and furniture have been dumped on the street outside his home and the mosque next door."
"Across the road, scorched pavement shows where a pile of rubbish was recently set on fire. Bashir follows the council's advice and tries to take much of his rubbish to the local tip, but residents have to book a slot online, and Bashir cannot read or write in English. I want to do it but it's hard for old people like myself. We need help."
An ongoing bin workers' strike in Birmingham has persisted for 50 weeks, leaving large amounts of household waste on streets and outside homes. Piles of bin bags, broken glass and discarded furniture have accumulated near residences and a mosque, with some rubbish set alight, scorching pavements. The council used agency workers and obtained a court injunction after picket-line 'go slow' protests prevented bin lorries leaving depots. Many residents, especially elderly and non-English speakers, struggle to use the council's advised options such as booking tip slots online. The buildup has attracted vermin and prompted the council to declare a major incident.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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