Birmingham residents have expressed outrage over the "mountain of rubbish" on the streets as the bin strike crisis deepens.
The council declared a major incident on Monday evening, with an estimated 17,000 tonnes of waste now remain uncollected around the city.
Officials have described the current situation as a "public health emergency".
Speaking to GB News, one local resident said: "Oh it's awful. It's just disgusting. When I'm walking the dog there's so much rubbish on the floor and it's just really put a horrible vibe on the whole city."
Another resident vented at recent council tax increases while basic public services remain undelivered, saying: "We are just sticking our rubbish at the end of the road, all our bins are full now.
"Either that or we're having to store it in the house. We've just had a council tax rise. I mean, why should we pay that when we're not getting a job done?"
"It's becoming a mountain of rubbish now. They have to do something," a third man added.
The all-out strike has entered its fourth week, with negotiations between the council and Unite union collapsing despite assistance from the independent Arbitration and Conciliation Service.
The strike began on March 11 when Unite union members walked out in a dispute over pay.
Workers are protesting against proposed salary cuts and demotions that would affect refuse collection staff.
Unite claims that 150 workers could lose up to £8,000 per year in pay, though the council disputes this figure.
The Labour-run council insists its offer is "fair and reasonable" and that restructuring is crucial for the authority's financial sustainability.
Public health concerns are mounting as the waste crisis deepens across Birmingham.
Residents say the uncollected rubbish has led to an "unhealthy stench" throughout affected neighbourhoods.
The situation has become particularly dire in areas like Small Heath, where growing rubbish piles have attracted rats and maggots.
Some residents claim the city is being "overrun with rodents", with reports that "rats are becoming the size of cats".
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The council declared a major incident on Monday evening, with an estimated 17,000 tonnes of waste now remain uncollected around the city.
Officials have described the current situation as a "public health emergency".
Speaking to GB News, one local resident said: "Oh it's awful. It's just disgusting. When I'm walking the dog there's so much rubbish on the floor and it's just really put a horrible vibe on the whole city."
Another resident vented at recent council tax increases while basic public services remain undelivered, saying: "We are just sticking our rubbish at the end of the road, all our bins are full now.
"Either that or we're having to store it in the house. We've just had a council tax rise. I mean, why should we pay that when we're not getting a job done?"
"It's becoming a mountain of rubbish now. They have to do something," a third man added.
The all-out strike has entered its fourth week, with negotiations between the council and Unite union collapsing despite assistance from the independent Arbitration and Conciliation Service.
The strike began on March 11 when Unite union members walked out in a dispute over pay.
Workers are protesting against proposed salary cuts and demotions that would affect refuse collection staff.
Unite claims that 150 workers could lose up to £8,000 per year in pay, though the council disputes this figure.
The Labour-run council insists its offer is "fair and reasonable" and that restructuring is crucial for the authority's financial sustainability.
Public health concerns are mounting as the waste crisis deepens across Birmingham.
Residents say the uncollected rubbish has led to an "unhealthy stench" throughout affected neighbourhoods.
The situation has become particularly dire in areas like Small Heath, where growing rubbish piles have attracted rats and maggots.
Some residents claim the city is being "overrun with rodents", with reports that "rats are becoming the size of cats".
Find Out More...