A public health warning in Birmingham

On Monday 31 March, the council announced a public health emergency. Rubbish is mounting at an alarming rate across the city, due to the current strikes. 

In response, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Roger Harmer said: 

“I welcome the move; the citizens of Birmingham should come first, and streets need to be kept clean to protect public health. 

“This is not before time. There is a mounting tide of excessively late collections that we have been reporting. There are 17,000 tonnes of accumulated waste across the city. This ongoing situation is clearly unsustainable.

“I have been briefed today that the contractor crews are being delayed by picket lines, and this is exacerbating an already difficult problem. 

“With warmer weather expected this week, we will inevitably see flies and maggots, and the smell will become unbearable. Mountains of rubbish will be hotspots for decay and disease.” 

“I call on Unite the Union to take this announcement seriously and put the health of Birmingham residents first; after all, they have thousands of members who live in the city who are affected too.  

“Birmingham Labour must resolve and end this dispute swiftly. Residents must be put first and not become victims of an ongoing battle between Birmingham Labour and Unite the Union.”