heaped alleys

[m4tt]

Hi!

Shadows scored themselves into the pavements behind every lamp post and railing. The alleys were heaped. They buzzed.

The passage is from Communion Town by Sam Thompson. I have no idea what the author meant with heaped alleys. And why did the alleys buzz? Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[JustKate]

Well, yuck. I could be wrong but it sounds to me as though the alleys were heaped with garbage and buzzed because of all the flies. Is the town that is being described the sort that might have alleys with lots of disgusting garbage cans in them?

 

[m4tt]

Well, there's a sentence that makes it clear that what you suggested is correct.
No one had seen a refuse truck in a month.