Sandbag collection

Sandbags outside homes on on Heyes Street after the Boxing Day floods

Residents and businesses affected by the Boxing Day floods are being asked to remove any disused sandbags or leave them where they are to be collected and disposed of by the Council.

All sandbags and flood sacks found in public areas and on the highway between Monday 4 and Friday 8 April will be collected and recycled, so remove any unused sandbags you wish to keep hold of.

Sandbags can be stored for re-use provided they have not been contaminated by flood water, but to remain undamaged they must be stored indoors or in a dry, undercover place away from sunlight.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "We are concerned at the amount of sandbags left around the borough, they are not only unsightly and a trip hazard on pavements, but if the bags burst then the sand will wash into the drains causing them to block and contribute to surface flooding. Since we contributed to the distribution of sandbags we are helping to get them off the streets and pavements."

Storing unused sandbags

• Wherever possible store full bags that have not come into contact with flood water in a dry shady place to use again.
• Sacking material is normally biodegradable and will perish if left in place for a long time. It is therefore advisable to empty sacks and keep them dry for re-use and store the sand in your garden, or yard for future use.
• Do not place full sandbags in your household waste.
• The Council does not normally supply sandbags to members of the public or businesses for their own use, however you can buy unfilled sandbags and a supply of sand from most DIY stores and builders merchants.

If you have additional flood damaged waste that requires collection call 0300 303 0420.