Dumped rubbish problem getting worse, say traders

Haseley Road is one of the worst-hit parts of the area for dumped rubbish, long-established retailer Paramjit Singh Behal says

Littering, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour are all getting worse in part of Birmingham, traders say.

Paramjit Singh Behal, who runs a property business, is among retailers who say the Soho Road area of Handsworth is being blighted by a build-up of rubbish, as well an increase in on-street drinking and drug-taking.

"I've got a business for nearly 25 years, but [over] the last six years it's getting worse," he said.

The city council said it worked hard to look after the area with the local business improvement district, but urged people to help out.

Paramjit Singh Behal highlighted Haseley Road and Queens Head Road as among the worst-hit parts of the area.

He is concerned the problems are putting off customers and believes people also felt "scared" in the area, particular because of drug and alcohol users in the local park.

Paramjit Singh Behal believes the problems are putting off customers coming to the area and this is affecting trade

"I'm struggling for the last eight or nine months," he said, adding he had reported the issues to the council.

Gaurav Pandy, from Derby, who works in food hygiene in the area, said: "I think Birmingham as a city needs a lift and this area especially, it needs to be cleaned up."

He added that for food businesses especially "pests will become a problem" if an area was not kept clean.

"But even as a resident or someone who comes to a city, it doesn't look nice," he said.

The city council said it was working hard to tackle the problem, but urged people to stop fly-tipping and dropping litter in the area

Majid Mahmood, council cabinet member for environment and transport, said in a statement: “Our hard working waste management staff and the Soho Business Improvement District do everything they can to keep the area looking great, but it is individuals and not the council that drop litter.

"We would urge everyone to do their bit and help us keep our public spaces clean.”