Residents in the Birmingham ward of Lozells have voiced concerns over the ongoing bins strike and fly-tipping as a critical election approaches. The inner-city area, described by some locals as neglected, faces issues including huge piles of bin bags, fly-tipping hotspots, and fears over drug use.
Residents' frustrations
Jane Majid, 58, who lives near a massive pile of rubbish, described the situation as "diabolical" and reported seeing "rats as big as cats" in her garden. She said waste problems have plagued her road for around 20 years and worsened during the bins strike, now in its second year. "It's not nice living here - it's embarrassing when you have got relatives coming round," she said. She is considering voting for an independent candidate in the May 7 local elections.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said bin bags were regularly dumped opposite her home. During a conversation on her doorstep, a man nonchalantly threw a black bin bag of rubbish next to others—an act described as "brazen." She argued that her neighbourhood had deteriorated over the years due to exempt accommodation, drug use, and anti-social behaviour. "Where's the accountability? When did England get like this?" she asked. She had voted Labour in the past but recent issues might make her reconsider.
Independent candidate's perspective
Rafael Costa, an independent candidate, joined a walk through Lozells and highlighted fly-tipping as a major issue. "Rubbish is flying out because the council doesn't collect the recycling bins anymore," he said. He noted that residents see black bin bags, furniture, and mattresses daily. Costa, from a sales and marketing background, said the bins strike and the "Palestinian" cause led him to become an independent. He believes different voices are needed in the council, as independent councillors can represent residents' views without party constraints.
"Everyone's tired of the situation they live in," Costa added. "The youth in the area need support. There are not many options for young people."
Labour's response
In 2022, the ward was won by Labour's Waseem Zaffar, an environmental campaigner who died earlier this year. His sister, Samarah Zaffar, is now running for Labour, vowing to continue his work protecting youth centres, ensuring dignity for elders, and investing in Lozells. Her priorities include clean streets and cutting crime.
Labour leader Coun John Cotton warned voters of a choice between "unity" with Labour or "the politics of division with Reform and the independents." He said independents often make unfunded promises that cannot be delivered.
The full list of candidates for Lozells ward includes Rafael Costa (Independent), Qiam Ud Din (Green Party), Peter Charles John Hinton (Reform UK), Raja Asim Khan (Independent), Andy King (Liberal Democrats), Nufayej Rayean (Independent), Dean Sisman (Conservatives), Taj Uddin (Independent), and Samarah Zaffar (Labour).
Bins strike and council plans
The bins strike, triggered by the loss of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role, continues. Striking workers claim an £8,000 pay cut, but the council disputes this. The Labour-run authority says it is no longer 'bankrupt' and has proposed an extra £130 million for frontline services, including cleaner streets and tackling fly-tipping. Recycling collections are set to resume from June. The government has also committed to addressing exploitation by rogue exempt accommodation operators.
