Some of Trafford’s most vulnerable residents are being 'let down' by the council’s bin collection teams, according to the borough's Green Party councillors. The group says there have been more than 300 complaints in the last year from residents who receive an 'assisted collection'.
These are often the elderly or those that have mobility issues which means they need help to move their bins, says Coun Dan Jerrome, who represents the Altrincham ward. “Complaints from 15 per cent of those receiving an assisted bin collection can’t be right," he said.
"We’ve heard several stories from residents that have been receiving very poor service. Many of the residents I’ve spoken to have needed family members to help raise problems with the council."
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One 90-year-old Altrincham resident had been battling the council for over two years, he said. "On numerous occasions, the bin crew failed to stop and collect the bins, even though other neighbours had theirs collected," said Coun Jerrome.
"Green Party councillors arranged for a manager to visit a resident’s home to observe the collection and take steps to improve the service.” A spokesperson for the One Trafford Partnership said: “We apologise to our residents on an assisted collection, whose bins have not been returned properly by the crew. We pride ourselves on supporting those who need extra help, and are disappointed that the assisted collection service has fallen short of what our residents expect.
"Refresher briefings are being carried out with all collection crews to remind them to return the bins exactly where they found them. Residents on an assisted collection are encouraged to get in touch, if their bins are not returned properly. This will allow our waste team to identify the problem and put it right.
“In addition, crews are being reminded not to leave bins scattered on pavements to reduce the possibility of accessibility and mobility issues. The waste team already emphasises the need for crews to return the bins neatly where they found them, and our supervisors will now reinforce this further and monitor crews moving forward.
"Residents can tell us about their bins not being returned properly, by visiting www.trafford.gov.uk/report-it “
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