Fly tipping in Ibrox, Glasgow. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)
The funds will be used for a massive clean-up operation, with 150 positions dedicated to cleaning and 50 assigned to parks to manage litter and food waste, which attract rats. Special teams will also be deployed to sweep roads and remove fly-tipped waste.
GMB union convenor for refuse, Chris Mitchell, told The Daily Record: “I don’t want to overstate it but this is a game changer, an opportunity to restore some pride.
“The city is looking terrible, a disgrace, and the time to sort it is starting now.”
A statement from Glasgow City Council said: “Last week’s budget agreed the council should invest significantly in frontline environmental services as a matter of priority.
“This reflects the feedback we have received from Glasgow residents through our household survey and from the issues they raise with us directly.
“The funding allocated will go towards 200 new staff across our street cleansing and parks operations, but also additional pest controllers and waste enforcement officers.”
They emphasised that while the additional resources will help tackle environmental issues, residents and visitors also play a crucial role in maintaining the city’s cleanliness.
“It’s been found litter is dropped every three seconds in Glasgow and so people should always use one of Glasgow’s 5500 public litter bins to dispose of their on-the-go waste.
“Residents can also help deter the presence of rats by ensuring food waste is properly contained at all times, keeping bin courts in good order and clearing away food intended for birds and other wildlife.
“Property owners should also repair any cracks in pipe or stonework to prevent rodents from gaining access to their premises.”
Fly tipping in Ibrox, Glasgow. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)
Chaos reigns in parts of Ibrox as litteribugs have left the Glasgow suburb looking no better than a tip. The locals are up in arms against both the unsightly illegal dumping and a perceived lack of action from the council.
Streets have become open-air garbage dumps, with shocking snaps revealing the true scale of the issue. From plastic buckets and timber cast aside to derelict mattresses, decomposing furniture, and ripped refuse sacks scattering waste, the scenes paint a grim portrait of neglect.
Lorraine Hargan, 74, who has lived in the area for 50 years, said that the escalating fly-tipping problem is the worst it has ever been.
She said: “There’s rubbish and junk around corners and down streets. I have seen things like washing machines and just bags of rubbish.
“This is the worst it has been. It is a real mess. It is an eyesore, it’s dreadful.”
Even taxi drivers collecting her can’t help but remark on the state of affairs: “People come and pick me up, like taxi drivers, and it is the first thing they see. A lot of them comment that it is terrible looking.
“I have grandkids that come here, and I don’t want them near here, especially for health reasons.”
Lorraine Hargan (Image: Newsquest / SWNS)
Other locals have branded the area one of Scotland’s most notorious regions for fly-tipping. One fumed: ”How about collect rubbish instead of cutting pickups so people have space in their tiny bins”.
Another raged: ”I honestly cannot believe people can leave their sh*t like this and not give a toss to the residents nearby.
”This is getting out of control. Its (sic) completely taking over everywhere you go there’s fridges couches and numerous other things. STOP LITTERING OUR CITY you scumbags take care of your own sh*t responsibly ????????????”.
A third said: ”Just shows how lazy and entitled people are in Glasgow. Make a mess then moan that the place is disgusting and expect others to clean it up.”
Another local called the situation “disgusting,” asking “what the hell is happening way the people living in our city who are doing this!!”
They added: ”Council should put cameras up catch them and give them a fine also make them clean it.”
Complaints about the look of the area continued, with another resident saying it looks like landfill: ”The grass verges are an absolute disgrace. It’s embarrassing!
”What a filthy nation we have become. I would like to see big clean ups and fines issued. Why can other cultures be spotless? Bring on the litter wardens.”
Another agreed: ”It’s disgusting all the time. There can’t be a more flytipped place in Scotland or the UK.”
Locals are worried about rats (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)
Lorraine went on to say she is concerned the sites will attract rodents, given their proximity to her home. She mentioned previously seeing rats on a nearby street and is convinced they will soon infest her area.
She added: “One of my biggest concerns is the attraction of rats. We have seen them further down the street. I am terrified they will come here, but I know they will.”
She claimed to have contacted her local housing association about the fly-tipping, only to be directed to Glasgow City Council. However, she alleged that the council fails to answer her calls, despite her previous attempts to report the issue.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of these fly-tipping incidents on Kintra Street and our environmental health team is investigating.
“Evidence has been gathered that we hope will lead to the identification of the culprits and allow us to take enforcement action.
“Those guilty of fly-tipping can be subject to a £500 fixed penalty notice fine, but we also have been liaising with SEPA on this matter.
“SEPA has access to powers that can ensure those responsible for this kind of environmental crime face stiffer penalties than we can serve and we hope this approach can help deter fly-tipping in future.
“Fly-tipping is a blight on communities and we fully sympathise with residents who are sick of fly-tippers treating public spaces with contempt.
“The incidents at Kintra Street will be dealt with appropriately as soon as possible.”