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The problem is particularly acute in Drews Lane, Washwood Heath, an area already known as a rat hotspot
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The ongoing bin collection strike and nearby HS2 construction work are being blamed for worsening the situation
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Residents in Birmingham are battling a severe rat infestation, with some describing rodents "the size of cats" plaguing their neighbourhoods.
The problem is particularly acute in Drews Lane, Washwood Heath, an area already known as a rat hotspot.
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Locals report the vermin chewing through car cables and nesting in bonnets and wheelie bins.
The ongoing bin collection strike and nearby HS2 construction work are being blamed for worsening the situation.
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Kim Blakeman, who lives on the road, told the BBC: "The rats are huge - they are like small cats and their tails are really chunky.
"They are in and out of our recycling bins and since HS2 has started across the road we've had more of an influx."
Teacher Mariya Malik said a relative's car had been damaged three times by rats chewing cables, which cost them £120 to repair.
She said people are anxious every morning as to whether the engine is going to start or if it would have been attacked by the pests.
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Residents have said they are anxious every morning as to whether the engine is going to start or if it would have been attacked by the pests
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Unite the Union has listed strike days to continue into April, exacerbating the rodent problem.
Birmingham City Council introduced a £24 charge for rat control visits in 2024, which critics dubbed a "rat tax".
Planning permission for the Washwood Heath HS2 Depot was granted in 2023.
The site is set to become the main control hub for the entire HS2 network.
Malik noted: "Fly-tipping isn't helping, the bin strike hasn't helped."
Residents claim the council has stopped litter picking in the area.
City council reports from 2021/2022 revealed that B8 - the postcode containing Washwood Heath, Ward End and Saltley - was a hotspot for vermin in Birmingham.
Residents claim Birmingham City Council has stopped litter picking in the area
PAThe area had more pest control call-outs than any other part of the city.
Blakeman claimed: "The council don't bother litter picking our road anymore. People fly-tip and it's a perfect nesting site and the rats come and feed in our bins."
The situation has left residents frustrated and concerned about health risks.
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: "Whilst we acknowledge that industrial action is causing missed bin collections across the city we continue to ensure every household receives at least one collection per week."
The council apologised for the inconvenience and confirmed they still treat for rats at a "contributory fee".
HS2 responded: "The health and safety of our workforce and the public is HS2's number one priority."
They added that "enclosed waste skips are used for bagged waste and are emptied regularly, with weekly site inspections" to check waste management.
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