Govanhill residents fight to stop long term fly tipping problem
People on South Annandale Street are telling us they begged for over a year before someone removed the rubbish this week.
Last updated 26th May 2023
People in the Govanhill area of Glasgow are claiming they've got rats coming into their homes because of a long term fly tipping problem.
Residents on South Annandale Street begged politicians and cleansing teams for over a year to come out and clear away the rubbish.
"It shouldn't be put on us to clear it up"
Dougie Nixon lives in a top floor flat and told Greatest Hits Radio: "I see people on their own with bags and vans driving up the lane to open their doors and dump stuff out the back.
"It is household waste, commercial waste, bricks, rubble and sanitary towels.
"A lot of the blame gets put on people in the local area, but I have seen others come from far and wide just to get rid of their stuff.
"It shouldn't be put on us to clear it up, there needs to be deterrent to discourage this kind of behaviour."
Dougie claims he is too embarrassed to have people round to his house.
He added: "I cringe when I have to walk by this place with other people.
"It is no fault of my own, but it feels like we are being ignored and it is a problem nobody cares about."
READ MORE: Glasgow is Scotland's worst city for rats
READ MORE: How Govanhill is left in the dark
"I am embarrassed to say that I am from Govanhill"
Nora Collingwood lives in the building next door and feels too scared to challenge people who come to dump waste at night time.
She said: "I can't put washing out because the place smells and there is rats coming into the flat when I open the front door.
"I am embarrassed to say that I am from Govanhill now because everyone is just tarred with the same brush, it makes me really angry."
Deputy leader of Glasgow Labour Councillor Soryia B Siddique has written to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde because she is so concerned about the issue.
She said: "I have noticed a surge in complains about rats and mice in homes.
"My constitutions have been very worried about this and they are raising their concerns with me."
A spokesperson from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We have received and noted the content of the letter.
"However, as it is Glasgow City Council’s environmental health teams who have responsibility for pest control, we hope that the Councillors also share their concerns directly with them."
A spokesman for the council said: “We understand the concerns expressed by the local resident, but this lane is privately owned and not included in the council’s maintenance schedule.
“Responsibility for maintaining the lane ultimately rests with the owners of the flats immediately adjacent to the lane.
“Owners, residents or factors can also access advice and support through our private lane toolkit and the private lane fund, which is open to formally constituted groups."
A spokesperson from Govanhill Housing Association said: "The association is aware of the concerns expressed by tenants not only in this area but in the City as a whole about fly tipping.
"We also know how certain communities are affected more than others by the acts of unscrupulous fly tippers."