In a city overwhelmed by litter, a brave figure is on a mission to combat a notorious troublemaker wreaking havoc on the streets.
This valiant individual, known affectionately as “rat man,” is none other than Will Timms, who is taking charge of the rodent problem in Birmingham amid a severe bin strike affecting the city. The ongoing dispute has led to around 400 refuse workers from the financially strained council going on an indefinite strike, creating a dire situation exacerbated by mounting trash piles.
Accompanied by the Mirror, Will was seen tackling a street inundated with overflowing bin bags near West Brom’s Hawthorns football stadium. The situation had worsened since his previous visit, indicating a lack of waste collection for weeks in the area. Will, the proprietor of WJ Pest Solutions, encountered challenges, including bait stations being tampered with, highlighting the urgent need for pest control measures.
A seasoned expert with over 11 years of experience in the field, Will has observed a surge in rodent-related jobs since the onset of the strikes. The increase in uncollected refuse has transformed Birmingham into what he terms “bin city,” with trash levels soaring and rats becoming an increasingly common sight, posing significant health risks.
Residents, like Arshad Sherbaz and Selina, have been grappling with uncollected waste outside their property, further compounded by personal circumstances that make it challenging to address the issue promptly. The dire situation is not isolated, with others recounting encounters with large rats and the unsightly impact of unattended rubbish piles on their daily lives.
Amidst the chaos, community efforts, like those led by volunteer litter picker Naima Khan, aim to alleviate the strain caused by the ongoing waste collection crisis. However, underlying tensions between the council and union workers persist, with diverging views on the restructuring of waste services and its impact on employees.
As the city grapples with the fallout of the bin strike, Will remains at the forefront, combatting the rodent infestation and providing essential pest control services to residents in need. Despite the challenging circumstances, his dedication to safeguarding the community from health hazards remains unwavering.