Polmadie Recycling Depot in Glasgow 'like a scrapyard' as rats spotted in dumped machinery

Cleansing workers at the Polmadie Recycling Depot have raised concerns about the number of rats spotted inside old machinery dumped there.

GMB convenor Chris Mitchell says there has been an issue with vermin at the facility for a number of months which is having an impact on its upkeep.

He also says there are concerns over the health and safety of workers as a result who have had to lay rat traps to control the issue.

Chris said: “We have a rat problem within the Polmadie depot. We have had one for a number of months now but there is a big debate on health and safety as a result of the upkeep and the state of the facility right now.

“It is like a scrapyard as there is a lot of machinery lying about that is getting dumped there.

“It is having a detrimental effect on the upkeep of the whole place. Some of it can be scrapped and some of it can be leased.

“But it is housing hundreds of rats because it has become a shelter for them. It looks horrible and there is rubbish lying underneath it.

Polmadie Recycling Centre in Glasgow LDRS

“We have had to put rat traps out as they are using it as a house and it just seems to be getting worse. It is so bad that the rats have actually started eating through the bottom of the cabins where our members have their dinner when they come in from working all day.”

The GMB is asking Glasgow City Council to move the equipment so they can start cleaning out the area.

Chris added: “It is taking up a large amount of space in the depot. There is a lot of signage in the depot telling you where to go and where to stand. That is being overlooked because of the amount of machinery that is lying about.

“We are saying to the council there could potentially be a walk out here because of the situation.”

Glasgow City Council says it is aware of the issue which the pest control team is monitoring.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of this issue and the area is currently under intensive treatment from our pest control team.

“We are seeing clear signs of progress with the intervention from pest control and we will control and monitor the situation closely.

“Old and unused equipment will be moved on to assist with the effort to ensure the depot is kept in good order.”