Mountains of rubbish STILL litter Birmingham pavements six months into bin strike
BINNED OFF Mountains of rubbish STILL litter Birmingham pavements six months into bin strike
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
MOUNTAINS of rubbish littered the pavements in Birmingham yesterday — six months into the city's unprecedented bin strike.
Locals say their life has been made a misery by the foul smells in the UK's second-largest city.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
4
Mountains of rubbish littered the pavements in Birmingham yesterday — six months into the city's unprecedented bin strike
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
4
Locals say their lives have been made a misery by the foul smells
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Bethany Campbell, 22, of Selly Oak, said: 'The place stinks, it looks atrocious and residents just feel they are being forgotten about.
'Nobody should live like this in modern Britain.'
The Unite union began the strikes in January after pay cuts of up to £8,000.
They have a mandate until December.
Union boss Sharon Graham vowed to remain 'relentless' to get a deal.
The council is running contingency arrangements and is still negotiating.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: "The council recognises the significant impact that industrial action has had on the people and communities of Birmingham and thanks every resident for their continued patience under difficult circumstances.
"The council is grateful for the community groups who are working to clear waste and helping their fellow residents during this challenging time.
"The council remains committed to resolving the industrial action in the best interest of all parties involved."
Birmingham's rat problem will get worse before it gets better says 'The Verminator' taking on rodents in UK 'third world city'
4
The Unite union began the strikes in January after pay cuts
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
4
The council is running contingency arrangements and is still negotiating a deal
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
250-year-old tree at centre of £70k legal battle in village
250-year-old tree at centre of £70k legal battle in village Richard and Melanie Gray were delivered a 'threatening' letter from their local church diocese Richard Gray pictured by the ancient sycamore tree in Warwickshire that he is trying to save (Image: SWNS) Residents beside a historic Cotswolds village church are confronting a £70,000 demand in a dispute with their diocese over a 250-year-old tree. Richard and Melanie Gray were stunned to receive a 'threatening' correspondence alleging their Sycamore tree had caused harm to the adjacent vicarage. The couple is now involved in a continuing disagreement over proposals to remove the landmark—recognised as the Four Shire Tree—in charming Lower Brailes, Warks. The Grays' property adjoins the Grade I-listed St George's Church in the verdant village and the tree stands 15 metres (49ft) from both their home and the vicarage. Their residence, which originates from the 1700s, served as the original vicarage before the church split the land to construct a new one and sold the former building, reports the Mirror. Mr Gray explained the magnificent tree had actually been promoted as an attractive feature for prospective purchasers when the couple acquired The Old Parsonage in 1982. However, the Diocese of Coventry is now insisting the tree be removed or a £70,000 root barrier constructed. Legal representatives acting for the 12th century church's insurers indicate it will attempt to recover the staggering sum from the pair, leaving them appalled. Grandfather-of-six Mr Gray, 76, a retired inventor, remarked: "The irony is unbelievable. Here's an organisation which is supposed to have pastoral care and love thy neighbour, and then they say take this tree down or we'll charge you £70,000. The sycamore has provoked a stand-off between the diocese that still owns the newer property and the owners of its near neighbour Article continues below "To have a threatening letter sent out of the blue by the church doesn't seem to fit into their Christian ethos for me when they are a spiritual organisation supposedly looking out for the local community. And then there's the environmental impact too, the tree is 250-years-old and a citadel of invertebrates, insects and animals. "It doesn't seem to fit with the church philosophy of 'All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small' if they are going to destroy a historic tree. There's been no knock at the door or anyone coming around to talk about this. "I think they've arranged one of the biggest solicitors in the country to act on their behalf, too. The vicar hasn't shown his face and is yet to say anything. I think they should adopt a positive attitude towards trees and their benefit to parishioners and do their utmost to save trees, not kill them. A row has broken out over this landmark tree in Warwickshire "So here we are locking horns with an organisation that's supposed to have the pastoral care of the community in their hands and its doing exactly the opposite. We're not going to pay and we're not going to take it down and the church are still threatening to send us this rather large bill." The Diocese of Coventry decided to divide the plot in the early 1980s to create space for the new-build vicarage. It sold the original home and its remaining garden into private ownership, and the pair, who separated but remain close friends, were the second people to privately own it. However, the diocese now alleges that the tree's roots have led to subsidence and is insisting it be felled—or they will put in a root barrier costing £69,768.88, plus VAT. Yet, in a separate report from January 2023, Mr Gray states that engineers working for the diocese did not blame the tree, instead attributing the subsidence to hot weather. At stake is a sycamore that is believed to have stood for 250 years in Lower Brailes Mr Gray said: "Their own engineers initial report said this large tree was not the cause, and that it was likely the hot weather. I said the report said it wasn't the tree, but they haven't acknowledged this fact. I've done a bit of research and it's a moderate risk tree, so it's not a high risk tree. "Sycamores reach their maximum mass after 100 years. So when they built the parsonage in their own garden it was already 100 years into its maturity and getting slightly smaller." The newly affected vicarage also experienced a burst mains pipe, which flooded the property with 13,000 gallons of water daily for three days. Mr Gray suggests that the damage maps are all focused around the water tank - and that it's the probable cause rather than the tree. He said: "The damage was right underneath the water tank and my friends in the church have pointed out that most of the damage is inside the new vicarage. And if you look at their engineers drawings it shows nothing on the outside which could have possibly been caused by this tree. "The old Reverend, Rev Morgan, noted that there were no cracks or major damage. The only place in the house that has cracks was on a wall the furthest away from the tree. They owned the tree when they built the new vicarage there. They sold it as part of the property, and even featured it as a benefit. "Our house has been there for 200-odd years and it has no damage at all. It's a stable part of a stable environment. All the walls cracked are the ones right underneath where the water tank had burst - 13,000 gallons a day for three days is significant. They want us to pay the cost of the repairs essentially. There's nobody living in it. It's been relatively unoccupied since 2016. "The garden is like a jungle, doors have gone rotten. It's neglected, a bit like they are now neglecting the community. There's talk of them selling it, so if they are also putting profit first that isn't very Christian-like either." The tree takes its name from the neighbouring Four Shire stone, which marks the boundaries of the four Cotswolds counties: Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. The church is recognised locally as the "Cathedral of the Feldon" due to being amongst the largest and "most beautiful" in Warwickshire. Mr Gray said: "The tree is unusual in that it has four trunks. It was in the centre of the vicarage garden. The tree was central to the fate celebrations, just up the road is the Four Shire stone. "It has a bit of an identity and it's a magnificent tree. I'll probably be dead before anything is enforced in law, I'm 76. But I care about the tree. Its absolutely splendid. hey'll need a court order, they can't just enforce this." Article continues below A spokesperson for Clyde and Co said: "We are confident that our work has been carried out professionally and fairly at all times."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Our neighbour's eyesore home has been rotting for years and makes the street look bad – but they're nowhere to be seen
It is believed the owner has been 'nowhere to be seen' for almost half a decade THAT'S RUBBISH Our neighbour's eyesore home has been rotting for years and makes the street look bad – but they're nowhere to be seen Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEIGHBOURS in a Scots street are fuming over an empty home left to 'rot' for over five years - and turned into a fly-tipping eyesore. Locals who live on Braidwood Place have hit out at the homeowner and branded the state of the house at number 21 a "disgrace". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Neighbours have branded the state of the house at number 21 a "disgrace" Credit: SWNS 6 The property has since become a 'dumping ground' is deteriorating rapidly Credit: SWNS 6 Neighbours Rosaleen Mulvery and Brian McVey outside the eyesore property Credit: SWNS The home, in Linwood, Renfrewshire, which appears to be vacant, is privately owned, as are the surrounding properties. It is believed the owner has been "nowhere to be seen" for almost half a decade. And the state of the property has since become a 'dumping ground' and is deteriorating rapidly according to neighbours who say it has given them sleepless nights. Rosaleen Mulvey, who lives next door, said she was "fed up" with the situation. She said: "The property has been in a state of deterioration for five or six years. "It is a real eyesore and the messy garden reflects badly on the street even though it is not the fault of anyone who actually lives in their property. "Having this deteriorating property beside me is starting to affect me on a daily basis, whether it be the dripping water making it difficult to sleep at night or the fly-tipping attracting unwanted animals. "I have lived in this house since 1979 and have worked hard to keep my home nice. "For the owner of the property next door to leave it in such a state is a disgrace." Rosaleen also feels the "poorly maintained" house makes the street "look bad". Jennifer Saunders & Adrian Edmondson's Year-Long Planning Row Over £250k Dartmoor Home Extension She added: "Water drips down all the time at the back and front of the property from the roof. "It is a constant nuisance and can get particularly noisy when we have heavy rain. "The garden is like a jungle with the overgrown grass and weeds. I have been talking to the council, Environmental Health, the water board and just about everyone you can think of to try and resolve this. "Unfortunately, none of them have been able to help me so far. "I am worried about potential dampness in the future as well. It feels inevitable I will experience it at some point." Renfrewshire Council said they have made the owner aware of the issues the property is causing to other residents. 6 Rosaleen Mulvey, who lives next door, said she was "fed up" with the situation Credit: SWNS 6 Renfrewshire Council said they have made the owner aware of the issues Credit: SWNS Locals say they do not have any means to get in touch with the person responsible for the house, with a phone number and current address for the owner unavailable. Brian McVey, another resident of Braidwood Place, also expressed concerns about the property. He said: "I have lived in the street for 47 years and this is the worst I have seen any house in the area. "The garden is overgrown and has turned into a dumping ground. "It is unfair to those who live beside it and it looks like things will only get worse. "I pass the house every morning and it is sad to see it being abandoned. "Everyone else takes care of their gardens." Chris Pettifer, who also lives on the street, echoed these sentiments. He added: "Unfortunately, the front garden has become a hotbed for fly-tipping and it is an absolute disgrace. "It is an environmental health hazard and a real eyesore. "Something has to be done to improve the situation. The water pouring out the front is such a waste and must be a hassle for those who live beside the property." Renfrewshire Council said: "We are aware of this property and have made the owner aware of the issues being highlighted by residents. "Our Environmental Health team has undertaken various investigations at the property but there have been no circumstances where enforcement action could be taken to secure improvements to it. "We are aware of the impact empty properties can have on local communities. "Owners of empty properties can call our More Homes Officer on 07811 055 016 or email to receive advice and assistance to help them bring their properties back into use."
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Fears for playful dolphin who DANCED with family in incredible video at popular UK beach after it's ‘hit by a boat'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FEARS have been raised for a dolphin that was spotted playing happily with a family in the water before it was found injured by a boat. Lynda MacDonald, 50, and her partner, son and his girlfriend, set out for their 6am morning swim at Lyme Bay, Dorset on August 3 when they encountered the friendly dolphin. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The playful creature happily swam amongst the family but was sadly found injured later Credit: SWNS 4 The bottlenose appeared out of nowhere while the family were out for a morning swim but experts have warned swimmers not to interact with the friendly creatures Credit: SWNS 4 Swimmers were able to touch the dolphin before letting it go on its way after a few minutes Credit: SWNS Just moments after leaping into the chilly water the family encountered a curios bottlenose dolphin. The playful dolphin dances across the water towards the astonished family before swimming on its back and asking for belly rubs. Sadly, the dolphin seen in the footage has since been found injured by a boat in the Lyme Bay area. Wildlife experts have warned swimmers to avoid the creatures and fear for other dolphins around the UK's coast. Lynda, who works in advertising, said about her encounter: "Out of nowhere, the dolphin immediately approached us and wanted to join in on the action. "It was friendly and playful. It even started guiding members of our group along the water with its beak. "It was not distressed by our presence and was very confident around us. "I've seen a dolphin before, but this is something I'll remember forever." Lynda described the encounter as "magical" adding how glad she was to have caught it on camera. Dolphins appear in UK waters fairly regularly, according to the Dorset Wildlife Trust there are 28 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises in British coastal waters. Dolphins surround kayakers off coast of Scots beauty spot The creatures are curios and playful and will approach boats and even sometimes come close to swimmers. But marine experts have asked tourists to stay away from the playful animals, raising concerns for the safety of the sea creatures. Touching the animals can leave them vulnerable to predators according to experts. Swimmers have also been warned away from feeding dolphins any animal food, which may kill them. Lynda said about her encounter: "You can hear the footage audio that the dolphin was happy to interact with us. "But we were mindful; we played for five minutes and then let it go on its way." The UK is thought to have a population of around 700 coastal bottlenose dolphins. The species is renowned for being sociable and playful, often interacting with vessels. They are regularly seen off the coast of the UK and spend a large amount of time in coastal waters. Bottlenose dolphins are commonly seen in Moray Firth, Scotland, Cardigan Bay, Wales, and off the coasts of Cornwall and Northumberland. Playing with dolphins could stress the animals and disrupt their behaviour, migration and feeding. Dolphins, along with whales and other porpoises, are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Approaching or disturbing a dolphin can result in up to six months in prison as well as an unlimited fine.
