A DRUMCHAPEL councillor has called on housing associations to tackle mess in back-court bin sheds after a spell of rat sightings in the area.

Councillor Paul Carey has warned residents have complained over the state of the refuse areas, which are “covered in litter and rubbish”.

The Labour politician claimed bin sheds within Glasgow Housing Association properties in the area’s Kinfauns Drive have been plagued with a build-up of rubbish.

He said: “After doing a walkabout last week looking at the bin sheds in the back courts in Drumchapel and witnessing the disgraceful condition some of these are in with rubbish piling up beside bins, it makes quite clear action must be taken.

“The housing association, whose responsibility it is to clean these bins sheds in my ward, has failed to do so on many occasions.

“It has let down its own tenants and my constituents, so I now remind them, it is their responsibility to clean out the bin shed in the property.”

He added: “My constituents should not have to put up with the state of these bin sheds.”

It comes after two separate incidents were reported with vermin coming into contact with city binmen.

Last month, an agency worker was scratched while carrying out his duties and, last week, a video showed another binman being chased by a creature in the nearby West End.

Clydebank Post: Mess around the bin area in the back court area of flats on Kinfauns Drive, DrumchapelMess around the bin area in the back court area of flats on Kinfauns Drive, Drumchapel

A spokesman for GHA said: “Our bin areas are cleaned every week after the rubbish has been removed by the council.

“The recent bad weather disrupted the council’s bin collection times and affected our schedule of cleaning up afterwards.

“Bin collections are now back to their usual timetable, and this bin area has been given a thorough clean.

“We are continuing to remind tenants about their responsibility to keep bin areas clean and when they should put their bins out.

“GHA’s teams continue to make sure back courts are clean and safe, including stepping in to provide bulk uplifts after the council suspended the service last year. Our teams remove 520 tons of bulk items from back courts every month.

“We have had no reports of rats in this area. As soon as we receive any report of rats, we immediately contact the council’s pest control department, who are responsible for dealing with infestations.”