Call for campaign to clean up back courts and lanes in Glasgow

Cleansing workers have gathered images from around Glasgow to highlight the scenes they face every day.

Back lanes with furniture piled up and discarded household items left lying on the ground that will not be picked up.

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Back courts are covered in rubbish lying outside bins, bulk items left on grass areas and bin bags split open with contents spilling out all over the ground.

Yesterday, the Glasgow Times told of fly-tipping in Easterhouse by ‘rogue’ removal firms.

Residents in Dunphail Road want CCTV installed in their area to catch the culprits or deter them.

They told how carpets, broken furniture, fridges, mattresses, sofas and piles of clothing and toys are dumped after dark by men in unmarked vans.

READ MORE:Rogue firms blamed by Glasgow residents for fly-tipping shame

GMB says it is happening across the city and is hampering their efforts to keep streets and back courts clean.

Pictures show rubbish in the West End, Govan, Cessnock and the city centre.

Cleansing workers say is a practice occurring across the city where people are travelling to areas, often dead ends, to dump unwanted items.

The council says to check if someone has a SEPA licence if paying them to remove bulk waste or unwanted items like furniture or white goods.

Chris Mitchell, GMB Glasgow cleansing convenor, said: “Glasgow is no doubt on the brink of disaster.

“As a union, we must demand recognition from the Scottish government and Glasgow city council for the work my members carry out cuts are damaging the city from streets to lanes to backcourts.

“But we can fight this. GMB branch 40 has put forward a proposal to kickstart the recovery with backcourt teams.

“All in a four-point plan of education, enforcement, employment and community engagement.

“This will put pride back into the cleansing workers and show communities we can have a cleaner greener sustainable safer environment we will all enjoy.”

GMB said it wants the council to invest in staff to clear up the worst affected streets and then crack down on fly-tipping and dumping together with an awareness campaign to make sure people understand their responsibilities and reach an agreement with landlords, owners and residents to keep their areas clean and rubbish free.

Glasgow City Council said it would be neither fair nor practical.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Even if there wasn’t already immense pressure on public finances, it would still be inappropriate to use taxpayer’s money to provide a free factoring service for the owners of private property.

“Private property such as back courts and back lanes has always been the responsibility of owners, factors and residents.

“Using public money to provide a free factoring service for privately-owned back courts and lanes would be unworkable in practice and unfair on those who seek to keep their property in good order."

The council said it has health and safety procedures in place to protect staff and its environmental health team can also step in to take enforcement action when necessary."

The spokesperson added: “The council’s private lane strategy is also designed to encourage owners to take responsibility for their property and ensure these areas are well maintained.

“The private lane fund, which previously provided £750,000 worth of financial support for groups to improve their property, is due to reopen in the near future.

“We look forward to receiving applications from residents’ groups committed to improving and maintaining their property.”