Birmingham council: We're on track to clear bin backlog

Birmingham City Council says it is on track to clear a backlog of uncollected waste by the weekend.

- HOLLY EVANS

Craig Cooper, strategic director of city operations, said that despite the ongoing dispute with the Unite union, clearing the backlog would start tackling those “affected the most” by the bin strike.

In a standoff with the Labour-run council over plans to cut the role of waste recycling collection officer (WRCO), hundreds of bin workers began an all-out strike on 11 March, which has led to rubbish bags piling up on the streets.

Reports have emerged of “cat-sized rats” wreaking havoc on bin bags, which have been labelled the “Squeaky Blinders” by one Tory MP, with concerns growing that the overflowing waste will lead to a health emergency.

Mr Cooper said the amount of uncollected waste had peaked at 22,000 tonnes, but he expected to be back to “one household collection every week” for all residents by the weekend.