Waste Collection and Snow

Many residents have contacted me to ask about the undue delay in the waste collection this week.

I am advised that due to the adverse weather last Friday (18th December) the waste and recycling contractor, Veolia, made the decision not to send crews and vehicles out to collect waste and recycling based on safety of the crews and the public. This was reviewed on a daily basis and collection has restarted again this Thursday (24th Dec 09). However we are all aware of the 2 bank holidays for Christmas and the revised schedule which will mean that bins won't be collected until about Tuesday next week in the earliest.

In asking about salting the street, I am advised that the Council has sufficient salt and has not cut any routes nor had any problems with the gritting routes. The Council had done 17 gritting runs since the snow was forecast and I am advised that there were no problems with the roads (unlike some other authorities).

If your road was not gritted please let me know, as it is obvious that the plans need to be reviewed, because many residents - like me - had to walk on the road as the pavements were obviously not gritted and were quite slippery. At the moment gritting priorities are the roads that are major routes (bus routes etc) and the pavements selected are for a specific reason (around health centres, schools, shopping areas etc), but I will be requesting this to be reviewed asap.

In asking about a refund for lack of service, I'm advised that Veolia are not liable to refund any part of the contract payment when weather conditions, out of their control, prevent them from collecting. They will however work with us to catch up on the lost days.

Please contact me with your views via this blog or via my email (Cllr Tunde)