'What must tourists think?' Overflowing bins not emptied in Shrewsbury due to fear of attack
Litter bins in Shrewsbury town centre are not being emptied because workmen are being threatened with violence.
Rubbish is overflowing on Pride Hill, Castle Street, St Mary’s Street and Bellstone after collections were halted.
Contractors working for Shropshire Council say they are unwilling to empty bins after being repeatedly threatened by a homeless man in the area.
Rubbish is falling from the sides of the bins, the tops are full of cigarette butts and black bags have been strewn about.
Photographs have been shared on social media of the mess, with shoppers questioning why the council is not doing more to sort out the problem.
The situation has escalated over recent days.
Council sources say the workers, from Kier, are refusing to empty the bins when alone as a result of the man’s actions.
It comes as Shrewsbury prepares for its annual Britain in Bloom bid and concerns have been raised that the rubbish is creating an eyesore.
Shrewsbury Town Council clerk Helen Ball said she was aware of the situation but that the responsibility for bins lies with Shropshire Council, which employs Kier contractors.
Abusive
One shopkeeper, who did not wish to be named said: “I know that Kier has said it will not empty the bins while this man is in the town centre.
"We have had all sorts of problems with him. He threatens people and is very abusive.
"We have been told that he has threatened the bin men and they are now not wanting to come in to town and empty the bins until the situation has been dealt with.
“ As far as I am aware they will only come once a day and they will not come alone.
"That means that the bins are dirty, full of rubbish and look unsightly. They are creating a health hazard. What must tourists to the town think when they see this?”
Police are considering imposing a section of the public order act that deals with threatening behaviour.
Tim Sneddon, Shropshire Council’s operations manager, claimed crews were maintaining collections in both the morning and evening, adding: “There has been an issue which is currently being investigated.”
