Handling of Birmingham bin strike 'a shambles'

There has been deadlock for three weeks, with rubbish piling up on streets around the city as bins have gone either uncollected or picked up late.

The stand-off surrounds a row over pay, safety and working patterns.

There was a sign yesterday the dispute could be nearing an end as Unite suggested it could be heading for talks with council bosses.

Councillor Jon Hunt, who leads the Liberal Democrats in Birmingham and ward covers part of Great Barr, said it should not have been allowed to get to this point.

Images showed bins overflowing and black bags on verges in Sandringham Road, on the Great Barr border.

Councillor Hunt said: "The whole thing has been a shambles. The council went in with no plan. A bin strike is the worst thing that can happen to a council.

"At the same time we can't have a council run by Unite, there needs to be talks.

"It's an appalling situation. It shouldn't be allowed to happen.

"Other authorities in the West Midlands have got it nailed. Birmingham needs to make hard decisions."

It comes as council bosses admitted tonnes of paper and plastic meant for recycling had been sent to refill in a desperate bid to clean up the streets.

Council teams have been out trying to pick up rubbish that has been left uncollected.