Glasgow residents say street has been invaded by vermin

The unit in Fountainwell Drive in Sighthill, which was originally gifted to the community after the completion of regeneration work, is now being used by vermin as a large-scale nest.

Fed-up householders say the rodents are invading the street and their gardens, as well as doing damage to parked cars by chewing through brake cables and munching on tyres.

Union bosses have also now stepped into the row and are backing locals’ calls to get the container lifted.

Chris Mitchell, GMB convenor for Glasgow’s cleansing and refuse workers, says the problem needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency on health and safety grounds.

He exclusively told the Glasgow Times: “It’s completely unacceptable that people living here are having to put up with rats running about their street day and night.

The container has become a nest for vermin. (Image: Mark F Gibson) “This eyesore needs to be taken away immediately before the problem spirals out of control. The rats have gnawed holes at the side and back of the unit which they are using to get in and out. It has become a breeding ground and nobody would want an eyesore like this on their doorstep, yet alone close to the neighbourhood’s local school.”

Chris says the explosion in vermin has become a city-wide issue.

He added: “The problem is not just in Sighthill but across most of Glasgow now. We’ve been telling the government and local authority about this for a number of years, and yet still nothing is being done.”

One resident told the Glasgow Times how he regularly sees rats running underneath his car.

Rats have invaded the street in Sighthill. (Image: Newsquest)He said: “I’ve had brake cables chewed through and tyres damaged. People here just want the container gone and hopefully that will see the rats move too. It is a horrible feeling when you see them scuttling about the street and gardens looking for food.  It’s only a matter of time before they get inside homes, it really is becoming that bad.”

The Glasgow Times understands that the unit was gifted to the community to store garden equipment. While it is not the responsibility of Glasgow City Council or local landlord Wheatley Homes, they are now acting to have it removed.

A spokesperson for Wheatley Homes Glasgow said: “We continue to work with the council and environmental health around the issues.

“The container was gifted by a developer on the completion of works and was used to store gardening equipment. Due to the size of the container, we are working with an external contractor to arrange for it to be removed as soon as possible.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council added: “Our pest control team continues to undertake appropriate measures at this location.

“Proofing works that prevent the pests from gaining access to a building is a matter for the property owners to address.

“Rats are in search of a source of food. It is vital therefore that food waste is always properly contained in a bin, bin areas are kept in good order and food intended for birds and other wildlife is not left lying out for rats to feed on.”

GMB Scotland say the issue with vermin highlights the much wider cleansing issues Glasgow is facing and is now calling on the UK Labour Government to help fund 150 cleansing jobs before the city hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

Mr Mitchell said: “I personally met with now Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar in August 2021 and at the time they promised more funding into cleansing services if they ever got into power. Mr Starmer agreed that Glasgow is facing a waste and rat crisis, and now that his government is in Westminster, we want him to commit to the promise he made and deliver assistance to create more frontline jobs.

“Glasgow is hosting the Commonwealth Games and the city has a huge problem with litter and vermin. We urgently need around 150 roles created to support a department that has faced repeated cuts over the years, temporarily and then made permanent.

“We are calling on Labour to make good on its promise.”

The Labour Party has been approached for a response.