The disgusting fly-tipping in a city centre lane causing rats and puncturing tyres

Fridges, beds, smashed TV screens, paint pots, carpet, bits of wood, used toilet brushes. These are just some of the things blighting a lane right at the heart of Swansea city centre which has a serious problem with fly-tipping. People working and living near the area, just off Verandah Street, have spoken of the nightmare of the ever growing build-up of items dumped in the area.

Ripped black bags, garden waste, smashed CDs and bedroom furniture are some of the other items which have spread across the road area and across parking bays, with cars forced to drive very slowly to try and negotiate their way past. Others have reported being left with punctures in their tyres, and seeing rats in the area as a result. Swansea Council said in a statement it was not aware of the issues until Tuesday, but would now be taking action.

Luke Baty moved to the area from Liverpool having studied in the area before getting a job at a vintage clothing store in Swansea city centre. He parks his car in the area before walking the rest of the way into work, and said he noticed the problem getting out of hand. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here.

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The 21-year-old said: "I've noticed over the course of time I've been coming here how it is getting worse, and worse, and worse for fly-tipping. Over this weekend it has got absolutely terrible, it's now on the road, and in all of the bays there's fridges, beds, TVs, it's crackers here. It has to be happening in the night and weekends when there's not so many people about. I think the answer to all of this is either gates, or cameras - even a fake camera, a deterrent, really, or maybe even an ANPR system and fines if you're caught." Try WalesOnline Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

Paul Evans is a landlord renovating a property along the lane, and said the fly-tipping issue had been going on for around six months. He said: "People are getting sick and tired of it. I caught two people doing it once and took pictures of the van. It has attracted rats which have caused problems for what I'm doing too."

Nicholas Lowe is working in the area helping to renovate a different property. He said: "It must be horrible for the people living here. I have got a bolt in one of my tyres, which is something I've only noticed recently. I haven't been working here long but I've known of this area to be a dump for a while. It needs some attention - or even for some dummy cameras to be put up. Cars are having to slow down as they pass by."

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "We were unaware of this issues on what is largely private land until today, but now we have been notified, our enforcement and public health teams will be making inquiries to establish who owns this site so that it can be addressed. Where items are on land within council ownership, we will look to clear them away. In addition we will look to make contact with any private landowners to request they do the same. Fly tipping or the illegal disposal of waste is a criminal offence and we would urge people to report any incidents to us." Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.