Residents kicking up a stink at new bin system

A row is brewing over new refuse collection times - with residents complaining of bins not being emptied and lorries wakening them up early.

The system was introduced recently by East Dunbartonshire Council - with refuse and recycling now being picked up seven days a week in a bid to save cash.

But just after the new era  of waste collection began, complaints were starting to come in to the Herald offices.

Alex Miller of Auchinairn Road said he had received no information about a change of day and his waste bin had not been collected for a fortnight.

He said: “I’m not psychic and I can’t get any sort of adequate reply from East Dunbartonshire Council.

“Apparently Auchinairn Road has been split into four different collection days. It looks like my section of the road has been forgotten.

“My bin is overflowing. It’s ridiculous.”

In Milton of Campsie,  residents complained of being woken up before 7am.

One householder said: “I am an emergency service worker, I work on average 50 hours a week. I get up every day Monday to Friday at 5.30am to begin my shift which can be up to 12 hours long.

“I am furious to find that the council cleansing department have decided my right to a quiet Sunday morning family lie in has to cease with immediate effect.

“My whole family were rudely awoken at 7.20am by the sound of a roaring diesel truck engine, by a reversing alarm then the clatter, bang and smashing sound of the refuse bins being emptied. This is wholly unacceptable.

“Another resident agreed, adding: “The rattle and clinking of bottles began to raise me from my only long sleep of the week at 7.15am.”

“As someone who works most of the time six days per week and whose only rest day is Sunday, I find this change wholly unacceptable to me.”

Grace Irvine, Director of Neighbourhood Services, said: “A member of our waste team has been in touch with Mr Miller and informed him of his new waste days.

“She also apologised to him for the mix-up which led to this confusion.

“She added: We are sorry to hear some residents have been  disturbed by the new waste collections.

“The shift changes have been a massive undertaking for the council, involving many months of planning. With any change on this scale, there are bound to be some minor teething problems.

“We are confident  these will be ironed out in the coming few weeks and thank residents for their patience.”