VOTE: Emergency rubbish points get thumbs up (From The Bolton News)

VOTE: Emergency rubbish points get thumbs up

6:13am Tuesday 12th January 2010

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EMERGENCY measures to clear the mounting backlog of waste in Bolton have started — and they have been welcomed by residents.

Bolton Council has set up waste drop-off points across the borough in response to bin crews being unable to collect for much of the last week due to the snow and icy roads.

Residents are able to take their rubbish to the points, which will be open around each collection zone on specific days this week.

Yesterday, those living in zone one — covering Westhoughton, Hunger Hill, Horwich, Daubhill, Deane, Over Hulton and Blackrod — had the chance to hand over their bin bags— but not recycled waste — to workers at nine points in the borough.

Duncan Robinson, who lives off Derby Street, arrived at the Bolmoor Industries car park with a trailer full of bags.

He said: “I have three weeks’ worth of rubbish because the bin men just haven’t been able to get round to me.

“I think it is a good idea, but I hope it won’t go on for too long, things are starting to clear up now and if I can get out then I’m sure the bin wagons can get round.”

In an even worse position was Dharmesh Pankhania, of Cavendish Gardens, whose bins have not been emptied since the start of December.

He said: “I had piles of rubbish. It’s a good idea but not everyone will be in a position to bring their stuff down here.”

A council spokesman said: “Snow, ice and parked cars have made side roads inaccessible and dangerous for staff and the large collection vehicles.

“These collection points will provide an extra option for residents who are able to drop off their own rubbish. The collection points are going well and residents have been turning up to drop off rubbish at all nine of today’s collection points.”

One binman, who did not want to be named, said crews had been frustrated at not being able to collect rubbish last week.

But he said: “You cannot compensate for weather like we have seen over the last week and there doesn’t look to be an end in sight at the moment. The backlogs will be getting bigger but we just want people to be patient because we will be trying our best.”

Crews were back out in the borough yesterday, collecting from as many streets as they could, with elderly, disabled and those on assisted collections given priority.

A council spokesman said: “Collection of green garden waste bins has been suspended and we will be diverting all resources and staff from this service to assist with the domestic waste collections. We are also prioritising those who produce medical/sanitation waste.”

But businesses are being warned not to use the collection points which are for domestic waste only.

Collection points will be set up today for residents who would normally have their rubbish collected on a Tuesday.

andrew.greaves@ theboltonnews.co.uk

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