'Bin men fighting rats off with shovels' as infestation continues across Glasgow

An MSP has claimed cleansing workers are “fighting rats off with shovels” while emptying bins across Glasgow.

Annie Wells, Scottish Conservative MSP for Glasgow, shared pictures of rats “swarming” bins that hadn’t been emptied for five weeks outside flats on Abercrombie Street in Calton.

She added: “This isn’t just unacceptable, it’s a public health crisis. Glasgow deserves better than SNP Council chaos.”

Glasgow City Council apologised, saying collections were missed at the address due to an issue with access to where the bins are stored.

They have since been emptied.

Chris Mitchell, convener at the GMB union, said he had been raising the issue with the council for years.

“I’ve been really vocal about my workers dealing with rats and the risk it brings,” he told STV News.

“It’s out of control, you used to see a couple of rats on your routes but now they’re everywhere.”

Chris Mitchell, convener at the GMB union, said he had been raising the issue with the council for years. Chris Mitchell/GMB

He added that staff shortages and lack of consistent uplifts of rubbish are only making the situation worse.

“Rats breed fast, and they’re usually looking for food and shelter. With rubbish being left we’re giving them that,” he said.

An MSP has claimed cleansing workers are 'fighting rats off with shovels' while emptying bins across Glasgow. — An MSP has claimed cleansing workers are ‘fighting rats off with shovels’ while emptying bins across Glasgow. Chris Mitchell/GMB

The union boss said he wasn’t sure if it was “too late” to do anything to combat the infestations and called for an emergency meeting with senior politicians.

He added the council, union and politicians are on the “same page” when it comes to the rat problem across the city, but said he was concerned over “empty promises” being made.

“With an election year, there will be promises made by politicians but they’re never delivered. I don’t want empty promises,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Instead of pointing fingers and blaming others, we need to sit down and try and find a solution to the situation. Everyone deserves a clean and safe city.”

A spokesman for Glasgow Council said: “Due to an issue with access to the back court where bins are stored, collections have been missed at this address.

“We are very sorry for any inconvenience that this caused.

“The problem has now been resolved and the bins at this address were emptied last week.”