Shocking photos show the streets of Birmingham drowning in "apocalyptic" mountains of rubbish six months into the city's unprecedented bin strikes. Disgruntled residents say overflowing wheelie bins and piles of waste are making life a misery as the long-running industrial action continues in the Second City. Despite lengthy negotiations between the Unite union and Birmingham City Council there still appears to be no end in sight half a year on. Locals say they feel "forgotten about" as the city remains plagued by overflowing rubbish, foul smells and infestations of giant rats dubbed the 'Squeaky Blinders'. Pictures taken yesterday (Sun) show huge mounds of trash littering the pavements, including dumped mattresses, boxes, black bags - and bins blocking the way of pedestrians.