To think I'm being fobbed off

[theluckiest]

I live in Birmingham and our last refuse collection was on Dec 16th. I know we're not the only areas to be affected. It's not so much the lack of collection but the way the Council are trying to cover up the cock-ups and feed residents blantant lies, half-truths and misinformation that has really pissed me off.

A few examples - My 1st call was logged, given a time when it would be collected and they even texted with a reference. 2 days later, they texted again with 'Your issue is now resolved'. Er, no, it wasn't.Rubbish still there.

Their website cheerfully informs all that 'every household in Brum has now had a collection since Christmas'. Hmm, no, it hasn't. I posted a response to this asking if they would like to check the bags they would see turkey carcasses and Christmas paper in some. My (very polite, restrained) posting was removed by moderators!! TWICE!

It has reached alarming levels. A lot of households on my road are either young families or have disabilities...wheelchairs & pushchairs are having to go into the road to avoid the mountains of binbags.

Bloody-City-Sodding-Council have now been telling me for over a week that our road is 'on their priority list'. Bullshit. All surrounding roads have had a collection. Road that intersects with mine has had a collection. In fact, the binmen had to go down our road, past our rubbish to get to this other road!!! They obviously chose to ignore our rubbish.

DH called earlier, was told Thurs. I also called, spoke to a manager and was told it should have been today but could be tomorrow (could be next bloody Christmas at this rate). ABU to think we are being utterly fobbed off?

So. On the warpath. What constructive thing can I do to get this sorted? Who can I complain to? Has anyone ever contacted/is/knows a Councillor?

It's all very 70s 'Winter of Discontent' retro! And utterly revolting ('trying not to think about the nappies/rotten food/dog poo festering outside my house')

[MotherSnowyMountainGoat]

This is the kind of thing that local papers love hearing about (and councils then tend to get moving as a consequence of the bad publicity)

[TheMonster]

I agree, get onto the local rag.

[nannynobnobs]

Local paper, complete with a photo of you, grim faced and arms folded, in front of the binbag mountain :)

[Pancakeflipper]

Phone your local MP. They can move things along or put a rocket up their bottoms.

[MadBanners]

Oh I'm in Birmingham too! What would have been our last collection before the bank holidays, was the Monday before Christmas the strike was on, then followed by two bank holidays, and then, well, I am not sure what is stopping them now!

To make it worse, as we are the only house for about 4 or 5 that do not have a drive, all the neighbours are dumping their rubbish on the path outside our house! Which they normally do, all good and well, but we had been keeping ours in the little alley between houses to stop it piling up to much! There must be about 50 bags there now..being ripped open.

Agree about the local picture, maybe accompanied by a disgusted point at the rubbish, and a random sad child...possibly on a bike!

[theluckiest]

Oh it's just horrible isn't it MadBanners?

Love the local paper idea. Maybe with the headline 'Bham Council - a load of rubbish', or 'Kicking up a stink'. Pic of me looking cross, kids looking cute/sad/adorable pointing at festering rubbish and forlorn Christmas paper peeking out of bags.

Have emailed tirade (a polite one, mind) to our Councillors. I wait with breath that is baited.

[WimpleOfTheBallet]

Go to the pet shop and buy a couple of rats...have the DC holding them up by the tails as they play amongst the rubbish

Local Mum is Rat Arsed About Refuse

[mutznutz]

Lol @ the local paper headlines.

They'd also photo you and your family standing around the bins and looking all serious

[ILovedYou]

I'm in Birmingham and we had a collection on Saturday and today! South West B'ham.

Sorry about your situation. Hope it is resolved soon .