"There are rats in the area now" Birmingham bin strikes leading to filthy conditions, say residents
Strike action is set to continue into the spring and summer.
People in Birmingham are telling us they're concerned about rats and rotting rubbish as waste piles up across the city.
It's as bin workers continue to strike over a pay dispute with the city council, with action set to last into the spring and summer.
One local resident told us the piles of rubbish have led to a vermin problem in the area: "My friends car - you know the cable that goes into the engine? - they ate that."
Another agreed: "This is getting ridiculous, I mean what are they doing?
"They're just increasing the number of rats and people are dumping their rubbish on the main roads now."
One man we spoke to also expressed frustration at the situation: "The waste isn't being collected and it is piling up now, as you can see on the road."
Another said he was losing patience: "They're taking only rubbish bags but not recycling - everyone is fed up."
One woman said she had been unable to take her household waste to the tip as so many other people had used it: "The recycling is overflowing and I've had to take it to the recycling centre, but it was full on Sunday."
Staff members have been walking out since the start of the year. This week, Unite the Union announced workers will start indefinite action on 11 March.
They claim a safety critical role is being axed, which will result in a hefty pay cut for the 150 workers.
A statement from Birmingham City Council said: "This escalation of industrial action will mean greater disruption to residents - despite the fair and reasonable offer that the council made to Unite the Union.
"To the small number of workers whose wages are impacted ongoing by the changes to the service (of whom there are now only 40) we have already offered alternatives, including highly valuable LGV Driver Training for career progression and pay, and other roles in the council equivalent to their former roles.
"No worker will lose the sums Unite are claiming.
"Residents of Birmingham want and deserve a better waste collection service and the restructure that Unite is opposing is part of the much-needed transformation of the service.
"Our door is still open, and we would encourage Unite to come back to the table.
“We thank residents for their continued understanding and patience so far and will continue to provide up-to-date information about our plans during the industrial action."