Increase in fly-tipping and dumped rubbish causing boom in rat sightings

An increase in fly-tipping at bin stores across West Lothian has caused a boom in rat sightings, councillors have been told.

- by Stuart Sommerville

Local area committees have heard that the bin stores have become a “free for all”, with rats seen around piles of black bags and dumped furniture.

The council acknowledged there are issues, and said that the problems were fuelled by a “thoughtless minority”.

At a meeting of Whitburn Local Area Committee, Councillor Mary Dickson said she had been receiving regular complaints about the number of black bags being dumped at bin stores and at flats, with many residents having reported seeing rats in the immediate area.