Cul-de-sac bin collection dropped

A council in Essex has told cul-de-sac residents to bring waste bins to the open road in future, as it takes trucks too long to reverse into dead-ends.

The scheme is being introduced to six more roads in Uttlesford district after a recent trial was hailed a success.

Residents were notified of the new rule changes by a note left on their bins.

Older people in Dunmow, where the trial was carried out, said they now have to drag their wheelie bins up to 50 yards (46m) for collection.

If we're not getting this service, we should pay less council tax Raymond Kirk

About 200 homes will be affected by the new arrangements.

Former policeman Raymond Kirk, 66, of Dunmow, said no consultation had been carried out.

"It's ridiculous. The council makes these announcements and there's nothing you can do," he said.

"The rubbish trucks can easily get down our road, it just takes them a touch longer.

"If we're not getting this service, we should pay less council tax."

District councillor for Dunmow John Davey, who is backing the residents, said: "It's highly dangerous to have bins clogging the entrance.

"Driver visibility is reduced and pedestrians are forced into the street. It's an accident waiting to happen."

Russell Clark, Uttlesford's waste and recycling officer, said efficiency savings had to be made because households had increased from 11,000 to 16,000 in two years.

Collection crews were now working an extra two hours a day, he said.

"We're in the process of reviewing our collection procedures to make them more efficient. We need to make savings," he said.

"We would have to increase council tax by about £3 per year to continue to offer a doorstep collection for everyone."