Bin collections missed

Residents want to know why their bins were not emptied

Bin collections that were rescheduled due to strike action have been missed and concerned residents are wondering when their already full bins would be emptied.

Residents whose bin collection day coincided with the strike were informed of the strike action and received a letter telling them that their bin collection would occur on Saturday 14 July. However, it is understood a number of residents who were expecting their bins to be emptied on Saturday have still not had their bins emptied.

One affected resident, John Butterworth, said: “Council staff had a one day strike and our bins did not get collected. This is fine. However, we were sent a letter saying bins would be emptied on Saturday at my address and this did not happen. Why have the bins not been emptied? Why have we not been informed of any changes or what is going to happen to our bins? Why have we just been ignored and left to guess what is happening?”

Bins within the borough are collected on a fortnightly basis with the strike action affecting a number of collections.

Mark Widdup, Director for Economy and Environment, at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Due to a national day of industrial action bins were not collected on Thursday 10 July. Residents were asked to put their bins out from the following Saturday and they would be collected as soon as possible, though not necessarily on that day.

“A reduced number of crews have been recovering the bins in the areas affected. Once normal collections resumed on Tuesday of this week the Crews have continued to work as quickly as possible to ensure all outstanding collections are completed.”

Mr Butterworth added: “The council is supposed to provide a service to us and not make false promises about emptying the bin. We pay our council tax for services and this is one of them. Any other business run like this would be out of business.”