Rubbish wasn’t collected from houses in Rottingdean for three weeks because the only driver willing to reverse down their driveway was on holiday, residents have been told.
People living in Tudor Close off Deans Court Road say that even now overgrown hedges have been trimmed back, their recycling collections are still being missed.
They say their regular driver told them July’s missed collections were because he was on holiday and no one else would reverse a vehicle down the close’s narrow driveway.
Brighton and Hove City Council blamed overgrown hedges and trees restricting access to the two-and-a half metre (eight foot) wide driveway.
Once the private estate’s gardener had trimmed back the greenery Cityclean emptied the refuse bins – but left the recycling behind.
Resident Jason Peters was surprised to find the recycling was left behind as he made daily calls to Cityclean for the three weeks the bin rubbish and recycling built up.
Mr Peters said he was told no driver would come out and no manager from Cityclean would come out to adjudicate, leaving the bags building up from the 29 homes in Tudor Close.
Usually, the rubbish and recycling are collected on the same day, according to Mr Peters.
He said: “When they came on the normal day they left half of it, so we’re half collected so it’s a start.
“They’ve not done the job properly, so do we have to police the guys in their operation? We should expect it to be done.”
Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey said he has become “Mr Bins” for Rottingdean.
He said: “Saltdean has just had all of this and it’s robbing Peter to pay Paul.
“The capacity used to get rid of the backlog has probably come out of Saltdean and Tudor Close wasn’t collected because a month ago all the capacity was dealing with Saltdean.”
Councillor Tim Rowkins, cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said the general waste and recycling is scheduled for different vehicles on different days of the week.
Councillor Rowkins “The only times when recycling is collected by a refuse vehicle is when there are significant levels of contamination, including items like soft plastics, plastic pots, tubs and trays, or food and drink cartons.
“Sometimes we see recycling placed in bags or bin liners, which themselves contaminate the load.
“We ask all residents to keep their recycling clean and loose, and only place items we are able to collect in the recycling bins.”
Paper and card, cans, and plastic bottles (including their lids) can be recycled. Glass is collected separately, and metal lids can be placed back on bottles.
If one driver can do they all should be able to. Just lazy
If the road is +/- 2.5/2.6mtr and a truck is give or take 2.45 (if I go by my own) I can’t entire blame other drivers as it barely leaves any room for error, let alone of bushes/trees obstruct visibility.
This is more a collector issue and maybe be looked at using a smaller truck (they got smaller ones specifically for these kind of situations that are the width of a van)
The number of times though over the years when collections have not happened because of obstructions, or driver absences, this regularly happened in places like Hanover when anti-social parking caused problems and has also been a problem in other areas where smaller collection vehicles have been needed. If the council needs a mix of collection vehicles, why doesn’t it have them, this is not a new problem (or rocket science to fix). The whole situation is farcical and I’m bored of councillors keep saying they are getting to the bottom of the bin issues in the city and then nothing actually changing.
Not much better in Hove Park & Westdene Ward either.
Rubbish missed collections galore of late.
1 year+ into a Labour Council.
Same problems as the Greens.
😡
I remember one bin strike in the past where some naughty person suggested that a number of local counsellors would love to store their domestic ways at their own homes until the debacle was over. I do believe a number of people took them up on their very kind offer.
No doubt it, that driveway is a tough one, and there are no prizes for ‘having a go’ and ending up damaging a vehicle.
If in doubt – leave it out !
Yep, you’re right. Brighton have had a couple of pedestrian fatalities over the years, and I think one involved reversing.
A lot of reversing accidents come from a lack or inexperience of a banksman.
Yeah, small for a vehicle of that size to get down there without a deft hand at the wheel.
…guess they’d have to move the bin collection location to the roadside instead?
I don’t believe this is a particularly difficult problem to solve, realistically.
Call me old fashioned and missing the point but if the bins are missed because of an alleged access problem then surely it would make sense, temporarily, to place the bins at the roadside?
Hmmm… let’s see. Move the bin or miss the collection. I think I know which I would choose as an interim solution.
I know the bin men are a lazy bunch and I would never encourage them to shirk further but pragmatism for the win!
I’m in agreement with you there, seems a very simple solution.
I use Magpie recycling for my recycling. Not very expensive and they actually recycle. They have the added advantage that they actually turn up as well.
Take the bins to the end of the lane? Or is Rottingdean too posh for that?