The sight and smell of overflowing bins and dirty streets in a West Belfast community is causing distress and anger amongst residents and businesses.
Woodbourne Traders Association say they have been dealing with the problem of litter, and reported lack of street cleaning for the last two years. Some business owners have said they are "ready to just give up".
And with the prospect of warmer weeks as we continue into the summer, it's feared the smell of rubbish at the back of the Woodbourne shops, near Woodbourne flats, will get worse.
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"This has been ongoing for a couple of years," the association told Belfast Live.
"Two years ago we had the street cleaner and the guy was here every day and the place was spotless. Now the council staff come and empty the bins, but we don't get that street cleaner anymore.
"Every week there is rubbish behind us at the flats. Directly behind the shops and the bins are overflowing. It is terrible.
"We are very proud of the area and want the very best for it. We don't want there to be rubbish all over the street, blowing onto our shopfronts. We are out lifting rubbish ourselves."
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council told Belfast Live: "Our team was in Woodbourne this morning reviewing the area. One business has contacted us about litter issues and as a result, we have placed four litter bins outside the shops.
"These are well used and we empty these bins daily. We also cleanse outside the shops daily.
"We will monitor this area and continue to review our cleansing schedule if necessary.
"Belfast City Council collects the general waste (Black/Grey bins), dry recyclables (Blue or Euro bins) and compostable waste (Brown bins) from the flats on Woodbourne Court and Crescent, and each waste stream is collected on a fortnightly basis."
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