Winnipeggers frustrated by ‘worst’ back lane in the city

A large pile of trash in a Winnipeg back alley has residents calling on the city for a clean-up. They say the back alley is “the worst” in the city.

“At first, it was just a couple of garbage bags and then it went from that,” explained Paul MacDonald. “It’s hard on everybody because no one feels safe.”

Paul MacDonald and his wife have lived at their home on Dufferin Avenue for more than three decades. They say the garbage pile in their back lane has continued to grow over the last few months and has been the site of numerous fires.

MacDonald says they’re almost on a first-name basis with area firefighters, who respond to the lane frequently.

“They actually said that this is the worst back lane in the city and it’s just getting worse.”

MacDonald says he’s called 311 about the heaping trash pile numerous times but says the city has been no help in getting it cleaned up.

He says as taxpayers, the long-time residents feel they aren’t getting their money’s worth and while they’re doing their best to keep up their household, it’s hard when he claims the City has “forgotten” the area.

“It’s very depressing.”

Daniel Benson, who lives across from the pile, says he’s been trying to keep the area behind his home clean, but it’s an impossible endeavor as the heap spreads.

He says the city should bring in more bins to ensure waste can be disposed of properly.

“They should have more bins in the neighbourhood so people can actually dump their garbage instead of just leaving it lying around and piled up, right? Because a lot of people don’t have trucks to remove the garbage. Economics, right?” said Benson.

Benson says if something isn’t done it’s likely the garbage pile will continue to grow.

“If they come and they get rid of it, then that’ll probably put a cap on it, but people just see the pile, so they just keep wanting to throw their extra garbage on it.”

As for MacDonald, he hopes the city takes action soon, as it’s an issue residents can’t deal with alone.

“We definitely have to get somebody on our side.”