A Birmingham man has issued a desperate plea for enforcement, declaring that persistent fly-tipping on his street has hit a 'dangerous and unacceptable tipping point'.
A Decade of Dumping and Daily Disgust
Wajid Hussain, 41, claims that Tarry Road in Alum Rock is being blighted by large-scale waste dumping almost every day. The problem, which has plagued the area for a decade, sees pavements blocked for pedestrians with heaps of hazardous rubbish.
Mr Hussain, a father-of-three, told Birmingham Live that the issue is no longer occasional bin bags. He described a revolting mix of soiled nappies, syringes, broken sinks, discarded mattresses, fridges, sofas, and rotting wood piling up across the street. He emphasised that the soaked trash and dangerous items pose a severe health and safety risk, especially to children who use the pavements daily.
Residents Feel 'Ignored and Unsupported'
Frustration is mounting as the waste reappears as soon as council crews clear it away. Mr Hussain alleges that some of the fly-tipping is being carried out by residents themselves, who seemingly expect the council to perpetually clean up after them.
Despite repeatedly contacting his local councillors and MP over the years, including raising the same issue back in July, he feels his concerns are falling on deaf ears. 'We feel ignored and unsupported,' he stated, pointing out the absence of basic deterrents like a council CCTV camera or even a 'No Dumping' sign on the road.
Council's Zero-Tolerance Stance and Resident Calls for Action
Previously, Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, has outlined the council's stance. He labelled fly-tippers as 'environmental criminals' and highlighted a zero-tolerance approach.
Cllr Mahmood noted that crews clear hundreds of fly-tips weekly and that the city has expanded its use of CCTV. In the last six months, 15 vehicles used for fly-tipping have been seized, with prosecutions pursued where possible. He urged residents to report incidents and provide evidence to help catch offenders.
The council promotes the use of Household Recycling Centres and Mobile Household Waste Centres for responsible disposal. However, for Wajid Hussain and his neighbours on Tarry Road, the call is for more visible, immediate action to break the cycle of dumping and finally restore cleanliness and safety to their community.
