Residents raging with overflowing eyesore
A skip full of rubbish has caused a stink in Westwood after being left to rot for months.
Fire ripped through a property last November in Rockhampton Avenue and a skip was placed at the rear of the house next to lock-ups which also serve neighbouring Musgrove Place.
However, as well as debris from the blaze, the skip has also attracted flytippers.
And raging residents of surrounding properties say the smell has become unbearable with claims that vermin are also attracted by the waste.
But after being contacted by the News, South Lanarkshire Council say the skip will be lifted this week.
Fed-up resident Robert Orr told the News: “The skip was put at the lock-ups after the fire at Rockhampton Avenue.
“That was back in November and it just got worse and worse with nothing lifted despite numerous calls to the council.
“It has been an absolute nightmare – folk have just been turning up and dumping everything imaginable in it.
“It stinks to high heaven and God knows what vermin it is attracting – it must be a health hazard.”
Robert went on: “There are a lot of kiddies round about here and my neighbour is terrified to let her grandkids out the back because she dreads to think what’s there.
“The rubbish also ends up scattered everywhere – not just in the skip.
“It sticks to the lock-up doors and handles and there have been times myself and my wife haven’t been able to get to our own lock-up.
“We all feel it’s scandalous this has been allowed to go on as long as it has. Why was it not emptied long before now?
“The fact there is also no lighting at the lock-ups is also a hazard – you have no idea what you could be stepping in.
“We have had nothing but problems in relation to this property and enough is enough.”
South Lanarkshire Council say attempts to get the former tenant of the empty fire-damaged property to arrange for the skip to be lifted failed.
Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources, said: “The council is aware of the skip which had been ordered by a former tenant who is no longer resident in the area.
“Arrangements have been made to remove the skip by Friday, February 2.”