A modern Perth housing estate could become boomtown for rats due to overflowing rubbish left by council binmen, claim residents.
Homeowners at Simpson Square believe vermin has been attracted to waste left by refuse collectors who fail to properly clear overflowing bins.
The council workers are also accused of throwing the bins on their side in anger at the state of the waste containers.
Simpson Square resident Gordon Kennedy said: “For several months residents in Simpson Square have had piles of rubbish left behind the bin chutes which has attracted vermin on two occasions.
“The housing officer for Hillcrest Housing has written to residents suggesting that they were to blame.
“However, I always suspected the council as there is a mass of rubbish left once the bins have been emptied.”
Mr Kennedy claims he has personally seen refuse collectors throw rubbish around and push the bins on to their side.
He explained: “I stood at my lounge window and saw what was happening, refuse collectors taking the rubbish out of bins that are overflowing and throwing them to one side, leaving a pile of rubbish that several times the housing association has had to contract out to be removed.
“Also one of the refuse collectors in temper returned two of the bins and threw them on their side.
“I feel that the council are behaving irresponsibly in this situation. Of course part of the reason is the fortnightly bin collection. However, to throw rubbish to one side and leave it is totally irresponsible.”
Perth and Kinross Council stated that they are investigating the claims that vermin are being attracted to the square due to the collection issues.
A council spokesman said: “Perth and Kinross Council is aware of the waste collection issues in Perth’s Simpson Square.
“The council is working in partnership with Hillcrest Housing Association to resolve the problem of large quantities of side waste and the full, open lidded bins, encountered by the refuse collection crew on a regular basis.
“The council is also investigating the issue of upturned bins in Simpson Square.”