A PETITION to delay the roll out of the ‘slim-bin’ has gained more than 2,000 signatures.

The online petition was launched in May, by the Bolton Liberal Democrat party, but has seen a surge in signatures since the initiative began.

Bolton Council began to exchange residents' 240-litre grey bins for smaller 140 litre versions, last month, in a phased process which is expected to last until November.

The council hopes the smaller grey bins will save £12.5 million over the next 10 years and increase recycling levels across the borough.

However Kevin Walsh, chairman of the Bolton Liberal Democrat party said that an increase in fly- tipping has already begun and proper consultation on the project was not given to residents.

He added: “The initial aim of the petition was to delay the slim bin process but we now know that it is impossible as it has already begun.

“The main problem now is and what this petition shows is that more than 2,000 people have got issues and concerns with the slim bin and that is because they didn't get their say in the first place.

“The council can’t just push through with these schemes without proper consultation with residents.

“There are many decisions made, as a whole, not just this one, that are done without consultation and then it causes problems.

“We are already seeing an increase in fly tipping and families complaining that they don’t have enough room in their bins.

“The council needs to be pushed into listening to the people of Bolton and that is what this petition is about now.”

The ‘slim bin’ scheme is costing the authority £1.1 million to carry out.

It currently spends £68,000 per collection day disposing of unrecyclable grey bin waste — equating to more than £17 million per year.

Mr Walsh said that he will be handing the petition, which has 2,344 signatures, into the council at the end of the month.

To sign the petition go to: https://www.change.org/p/bolton-council-listen-to-residents-rethink-the-slim-bin.

Residents can also report an issue with their bin at: bolton.gov.uk/loverecycling