AN OVERFLOWING bin outside Windermere Library has 'rats and crows scattering the rubbish,' according to a resident.

Wendy Rainer took a photo of the bin on Monday, 27 May. She said that it had been partially emptied by Tuesday morning. 

She said that the library gardens 'urgently' need more litter bins and that the waste had been there from before the weekend. 

Cumbria Waste Group owns the bin and has a deal with the library. The 240ltr general waste bin is collected fortnightly. 

Karen Sidgwick, commercial collections manager, said: "Looking at the photo, the bin is most likely being overfilled by passing members of the public, disposing of drinks/coffee cups, ice creams and most undesirably dog poo bags."

Ms Sidgwick said that they will speak to the library to discuss solutions to the problem, such as providing larger lockable bins or an alternative location to deter the public from overfilling. 

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Earlier this year, bins owned by Cumbria Waste Group near St Martin's Parade, Bowness, were called 'unsightly.' 

"The maintenance of businesses' bin stores lies on the businesses themselves," Ms Sidgwick said. 

The Westmorland and Furness cabinet member for waste services Dyan Jones thanked the group for their support and said: "Our waste team has been working with the enforcement team to see how we can proactively address tidiness and cleanliness and duty of care responsibilities in this location going forward." 

Bowness resident Richard McClure previously said the issue of rats in the area has got 'way worse' over the last decade. 

"I've spoken to people who work in hospitality in Bowness, they all have rat stories to tell, every pub and hotel has a story," Mr McClure claimed.

He called areas of the village 'completely infested' with rats. In response, the council said that it had not seen an increase in complaints. 

In January, Waterland Private Equity acquired a majority stake in Cumbria Waste Group.