People 'wading' through rubbish-strewn pavements

People say they are are having to "wade" through rubbish on their doorsteps after a change in bin collections.

Seagulls have been tearing open bags at a new collection point in front of homes on Olive Street in Aberavon, Port Talbot, residents said.

Neath Port Talbot council made the change in January after fly-tipping in the old rear lane collection point made it a "health and safety hazard".

A council spokesperson said it was offering wheeled bins to residents and encouraged people to recycle their food waste to deter seagulls.

Katie Jones, who has lived on Olive Street for three years, said: “There were always problems with having the bins out in the back lanes of the houses because we never had wheelie bins which led to seagulls and other animals tearing through the bags.

Moving the collection point, she said, had only "moved the problem from one place to another".

“At the moment it’s completely filthy out there on collection days with children, adults, wheelchairs and prams all having to tip-toe around rubbish just to get down the street.

She wants the collection point moved back to the lanes, and for people to be given wheelie bins.

One of her neighbours, Terry Peterson, said the new system makes the street look "terrible" and that having the collection in the back where fewer people walk would be safer.

"We’re having to go out and litter pick for ourselves and people are even having to walk out in the road to avoid walking through rubbish," he said.

Neath Port Talbot council said: “A front of house collection system has been operated in Olive Street since January, 2024, as previously the rear lane was presenting a health and safety issue due to waste being dumped indiscriminately.

"Not only did this present a health issue, it diverted cleansing and collection crews from other areas.

“The council tried a number of initiatives to address the problems but the front of house collection has led to an improved situation."

A wheeled bin labelled with the house number can be provided, the council said, or it can give out black bags.

“Naturally, seagulls and other animals are particularly attracted to food waste. We would appeal to our residents to use their food waste bins to recycle."