Overflowing bin storage has attracted rats, maggots and fruit flies to a block of flats in Swindon.
Residents of Neston Close in Badbury Park are fed up with the state of their space for refuse and recycling at their accommodation, which is managed by the Bromford housing association.
Neighbours say that they have been struggling with this situation on and off for weeks as the storage area keeps overflowing with rubbish that is not taken away.
Fly-tippers dumping fridges and other household furniture nearby is adding to the problem, and the residents feel frustrated that they are being blamed for the mess while their bills are increased due to the costs of clean-up efforts.
One resident told the Adver: “It’s full up to the door, it absolutely stank through the whole summer, I feel sick every time I have to go in there.
“It’s against health and safety. I get fruit flies in my flat, people have seen rats and maggots in the bin shed, and foxes going into it at night.
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“Bromford say it’s the council’s responsibility, but one of the bin men said that there’s no safe access for them to collect it all.
“Some of the residents cleaned the bin shed a few weeks ago but then the same problem happened again. It’s not fair."
Natalie Colfer, Head of Neighbourhoods and Communities at Bromford, said: "The bin store at Neston Close and the bins within it are provided by Bromford, while the collection of waste is carried out by the local authority.
"Collections at this location have not always taken place as scheduled, which has contributed to waste building up.
"We are also aware that the store is possibly being used by people who do not live at this address. We are considering installing signage to make clear that the facility is for the use of our 12 households at Neston Close.
"We recognise that the current situation is not acceptable, and we have arranged a lorry clearance for September 15, when our operatives will attend the site and clear the store.
"We would encourage residents to dispose of household waste and recycling appropriately, and to report any incidents of fly-tipping to us as well as the council."
A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson added: “There is no need for people who do not live in this location to dump their waste in this way.
“If you spot anyone flytipping please report it to us via our website: www.swindon.gov.uk/flytipping. Residents also have the option to report the issue anonymously.”
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