Parked cars blamed for poor Holyhead recycling service

Jun 3 2009 By Tara Sephton

RESIDENTS parking outside their houses are being blamed for continuing problems with the council’s recycling service.

The new scheme, which has been in operation since April of this year, is helping to meet ambitious recycling targets set by Europe and the Welsh Assembly Government.

If targets are not met the council could face tough financial penalties.

But home owners in Ucheldre Avenue, Holyhead, have spoken out about their frustration, claiming rubbish is left uncollected for weeks and the council fails to co- operate.

The council, however, says parked cars on the street are making collections difficult.

Chris Jones, of Ucheldre Avenue, said: "The recycling has not been properly collected for six to seven weeks and now residents are being blamed for the issues.

"For the past few weeks we have been dealing with the recycling ourselves but we shouldn't have to. We all pay our council tax so we all deserve a proper service.

"'The rubbish is unsightly and leaves an embarrassing mess in the cul-de-sac. To blame parked cars is ridiculous, when the lorries were coming as part of the old system we had no such problems.

"I've been told about timing issues and now problems with access. I've even been told to stick the recycling in black bin bags, it's just not good enough.

"A number of residents have reported the issue to the council, but little or nothing has been done to rectify the problem."

The new service should consist of a weekly collection of the red and blue recycling boxes, a fortnightly collection of existing black wheelie bins and a fortnightly collection of green garden waste.

Elderly residents are left particularly disadvantaged as they struggle to take their recycling to the nearest public collection points.

Mr Jones believes the issue is not just affecting Ucheldre Avenue: "I'm sure the problem is more widespread as I have spoken to a number of other people from other areas of Holyhead who seem to be having similar problems."

An Anglesey County Council spokesman said: "We will investigate concerns raised by Ucheldre Avenue residents as soon as possible however we are aware that access to Ucheldre Avenue can be a problem, with parked cars making collections difficult, despite several attempts by the crew during the course of the day.

"The authority is grateful to the residents of Holyhead and Anglesey for their continued support in terms of recycling."