Residents say bins have never been collected from new homes

Alec Doyle, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents of a new housing development say their bins have never been collected, despite repeatedly contacting their local council for help.

People living at Princes Row in Mold say rubbish has been piling up for months after Flintshire County Council provided them with bins and recycling bags but failed to empty them.

The terrace of seven homes was created from part of the former Savoy Restaurant off Chester Road, with access to the properties via an alley next to Big Fish chip shop.

Resident Michael Horder, who moved into his home with his son in February, said none of the households had received a collection despite registering with the council.

“The whole thing’s been a bit of a nightmare,” he said. “I was the second person to move in on this row.

“First the post office changed the postcode which then made getting internet sorted an issue – but the council could find us to send reminder letters about registering for council tax.

“That also meant when we moved in our bins and recycling bags were waiting for us. So they know we exist but our bins have never been collected no matter how many times we’ve called or written to the council’s Streetscene department.”

Mr Horder, who has a chronic condition that means he cannot drive, said residents had been left trying to find other ways to dispose of their rubbish.

“People have been moving in and that generates a lot of waste – large cardboard boxes for furniture and things – but it’s all just collected over time.

“The two houses next to me have about 17 bin bags outside them – it’s not their fault, they have just moved into new homes. The council should have been to take that rubbish away.

“I can’t drive but I have family in Gwernymynydd and they have been able to take some of my rubbish to Nercwys recycling centre and my parents in Chester have helped too but as more people have moved in – some from out of the area – they have suffered the same issues.”

Complaints

Mr Horder said he had contacted the council by phone and email and had also visited Flintshire Connects to raise the problem in person.

“They agreed that the situation was terrible,” he said. “They promised to sort it out then offered me extra recycling bags.

“That doesn’t resolve the situation, it just means I’ve got more bags outside full of rubbish that hasn’t been collected.”

Mr Horder has also written to Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins asking for help.

“I’ve just been passed around in circles,” he said. “Everyone on this street is lovely and friendly – there’s even a family with a toddler right at the very end – and it’s not nice for anyone.

“It is a public health issue. Whenever you complain the first thing they ask is are you putting the right items in the right bins. We definitely are, I actually believe you barely need your black bin if you are sorting it properly.

“But if none of it is ever collected then what can you do?”

Flintshire County Council has been approached for comment.

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