Cul-de-Sac Refuse Collections Under Threat

10.56.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Aug 2008

Chris Huhne MP inspects Uttlesford's highly successful recycling scheme which was brought in by the Liberal Democrats. The Tory-led Council is now threatening the service, which has achieved a recycling rate of nearly 60% - the best in Essex.

Liberal Democrats in Uttlesford are concerned about the Conservative-led Council's proposals to reduce doorstep collections. Uttlesford District Council is conducting a review of its rubbish collecting procedures, which could leave the bins in cul-de-sacs across the district being left out in the cold.

Liberal Democrat for Dunmow North, Cllr Ron Clover said "There are outraged residents of Rowan Way in Woodlands Park who have been told refuse trucks will only empty bins left at the road entrance. They were sent a letter without explanation or apology, and were only given one week's notice. With three types of refuse collected, the 10 properties have two wheelie bins to drag to the end of their road each week and the bins will block the footpath and road access for emergency and delivery vehicles on collection days."

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr. Peter Wilcock said, "The review of collection procedures from cul-de-sacs within the district and the creation of central collection points will reduce the level of co-operation of residents who have so magnificently supported the highly successful three wheelie bin recycling scheme introduced by Liberal Democrats when they ran the Council. With the support of local residents, that scheme has achieved nearly 60% recycling in our District. The council has failed to supply some new residents with recycling bins because it forgot to order them in good time. It is ludicrous to say that new housing is a reason to cut recycling costs because those new houses produce more tax income for the Council."

Cllr Clive Smith, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Dunmow South, added, "I am eager to know if the people in the cul-de-sacs will get a reduction in rent and taxes. The constant streamlining of council facilities and services to the Essex public is an outrage especially when rent and taxes have gone up. I don't believe the refuse collectors have been complaining about this, but believe it's just the council trying to cut costs. Householders living in cul-de-sacs have been ordered to drag their bins to the end of the street for collection, because council trucks take too long reversing in."

"Furious residents in my ward say it is ridiculous scrapping doorstep collections. Some residents have contacted me as they believe the large number of bins waiting to be collected is a safety hazard and an eyesore at the end of cul-de-sacs. Where was the consultation?"

Related Links:

The Daily Telegraph's coverage of the story

Simon Heffer is not very impressed (Scroll down to the last article).