Cotswold streets littered with rubbish

10:30am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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By Emma Tilley »

A CIRENCESTER father fears the build up of bin bags strewn down his street pose a health and safety risk.

Andrew McAvoy, of Chester Street, complained to Cotswold District Council about the level of rubbish in Cirencester since the new waste scheme began last Monday.

Rubbish collectors will not pick up bin bags unless they are in the grey bins provided by CDC.

But Mr McAvoy said the problem is the grey bins are too small for the average family.

"My very small garden is now not safe for my two-year-old daughter to play in due to the presence of rodents that have taken an unhealthy liking to the contents of the various refuse containers," he said.

The town is littered with discarded bin bags as confusion reigns amongst the residents about the new collections.

When Mr McAvoy went to walk his dog on Wednesday he saw rubbish all over Victoria Road.

He said: "It was an absolute mess and Watermoor looked a complete state. I assume it is all going to be left there.

"Every attempt to try and talk to somebody at the council has been met with complete inertia."

A CDC spokesman said: "Black bin bags left out at kerbside will not be collected. This information has been clearly stated many times in leaflets, postcards, adverts, press releases issued by the Council and at roadshows."

He said the standard size grey bin is 180 litres but families of five or more people or families with two or more children in disposable nappies can request a 120-litre bin in addition to their 180 litre bin.

He added: "For the vast majority of households, a 180-litre bin is big enough for a fortnightly collection of non-recyclable landfill waste provided that they make use of all the recycling and composting opportunities available under the new service."