I HAVE had to complain several times about missed collections since the start of the new bin collection schedule brought in by Dorset Waste Partnership in July to save money.

This so called “improved efficiency” strategy has caused disruption to many householders and the savings must have completely disappeared by now judging by the latest chaos.

On phoning for the second time this week (bins due for collection Tuesday – still here Friday) I am told that five trucks have broken down and that they are hiring in and contracting out the work to catch up on the backlog of the backlog!

They will all be working over the weekend to do this! (More overtime.) I live at St Ives. Up the road at Ashley Heath their collections were made but our area is one of seemingly many that still await collections and there are many of them.

Neighbours and I have observed the bin men (or bin man, on some occasions) are actually running alongside the vehicle to ensure that the schedule keeps to time.

There are four bins outside our houses now on one day (recycling day).

On one occasion (mine is an assisted collection) I found all the bins in the road scattered about the road, the path just anywhere.

Clearly they don’t have time to put them back.

Mine was not even collected on that occasion because there were new crews.

The food bins are gathering larvae and flies in the heat and becoming a health hazard.

It is quite clear that the ‘improved’ collection system does not work.

I imagine that those on the ground probably indicated it wouldn’t and now the schedule, I am told by the official I spoke to, is about to change again. It is unworkable.

I read in the Echo about the increase of £10,000 in salary for the director who implemented and created all these savings, so who’s going to pay for their failure and the extra costs involved in trying to mend the problem?

I’m amongst many unhappy rate payers where, I imagine, the buck will stop.

There is a lot of truth in the saying if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

CELIA MARKER

Post Office Lane, St Ives, Ringwood

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