STINKING and overflowing bins surrounded by swarms of flies have left one family holding their noses in disgust as they blame fly-tippers for the mess.

The communal bins in Cranham Drive in Warndon, Worcester, are supposed to be locked behind a gate for residents to use. But the keypad is missing which means anyone can get in, leaving residents concerned about fly-tipping.

Worcester News: Matthew Mileham sums up the feelings of Cranham Drive residents as he holds his nose near the stinking, overflowing, fly-infested bins Matthew Mileham sums up the feelings of Cranham Drive residents as he holds his nose near the stinking, overflowing, fly-infested bins (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

All the bins were full and overflowing at the flats which overlook the shops with broken mirror glass, toys and other rubbish strewn across the ground.

Mum-of-two Sarah Mileham, 41, who has lived in the flats for the last five years said the access keypad had been gone 'for ages' and should only be accessed by residents with a key fob. The full-time mum and carer, who home-schools her children, Matthew, seven, and Sophie, four who were both left holding their nose and picking their way gingerly through the piles of rubbish on the ground.

 

Worcester News: GONE: The missing keypad which allows anyone to access the flats in Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester GONE: The missing keypad which allows anyone to access the flats in Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Now, with the entire keypad missing, the gate can be opened by anyone. Meanwhile, the gate is on an alleyway used as a cut-through to the shops on Cranham Drive.

Mrs Mileham said: "Look at all the flies! The bins have been bad for months so I try not to come this way. This gate should be locked. Instead, it's free for anyone to use as a dump."

When she empties her bins once a fortnight she finds they are often full - and does not believe all the rubbish is from residents of the flats. She has found mattresses and even dirty nappies.

Worcester News: STINK: The overflowing bins of Cranham Drive flats - a breeding ground for flies and rats says one family STINK: The overflowing bins of Cranham Drive flats - a breeding ground for flies and rats says one family (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"It's a health and safety risk for my children and all the children up here. There are a few families living here with three plus children. It's disgusting and it's getting worse.

"Other people are using the bins who shouldn't be. All this rubbish has not come from the number of people living here. All the broken glass gets trodden into our houses.

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"This is a big reason I want to move out - and the antisocial behaviour."

She has reported it to Platform Housing which manages the flats.

Warndon councillor Jill Desayrah said: "These shared domestic rubbish bins are overflowing on a regular basis. This is at least partly because they are accessible to anyone, since they are no longer secured behind private property gating. I know that Platform Housing is aware of the missing gate lock to this block and I hope it will be fixed soon.

"There is also evidence of fly tipping of bulky items in this area. No matter where these items originated, the tipping could perhaps be avoided by having Warndon added to the cycle of regular mobile tips. This is something I’ve recently requested and is under consideration by the City Council Waste Management team." 

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "The waste and recycling bins are emptied frequently as part of the regular collection schedule, on alternative weeks."

Platform Housing has been approached for a comment.