Missed bin collections 'a complete and utter shambles'

An Antrim and Newtownabbey resident has described ongoing issues with bin collections in the area as "a complete and utter shambles".

David Burke, who lives in Antrim, said problems started when a new kerbside recycling system was introduced in the town in December.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said it has held a "productive" meeting with Bryson Recycling, which is in charge of the collections.

The company has apologised to residents and said it is working to resolve the issues.

Burke said he has had "no idea" what days collections were happening.

"I just have a wee expression, if in doubt leave it out, because you don't know," he said.

"At one stage they emptied the bottom end of our cul-de-sac, but the top end wasn't emptied."

David McNicholl, who is also from the town, said his recycling was rarely collected on the correct day.

"Since it was introduced in December, three different days they've come on, Friday, Saturday or Sunday," he said.

"The reason can't be weather, because there has been no snow any of the weeks.

"I can't understand why they can't come when they're supposed to come."

Another resident, Lawrence Hutchins, said the problem was "just not knowing what day they are going to come".

"You just put it out and hope for the best," he added.

He said he wouldn't leave his bin out if it wasn't collected as it had been stolen in the past.

Hutchins described the situation as "a disaster".

"I know that maybe the weather had something to do with it, the council hasn't been giving us much information," he said.

"It's a load of rubbish."

Councillor Paul Dunlop said there had been "significant issues" with bin collections.

"It's not satisfactory," he added.

He said the "build up of waste" has been ruining the housing estates in the town.

"Residents are frustrated.

"There have been sporadic incidents around the town where there's been pockets missed."

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said they have held "a productive meeting" with the chief executive of Bryson Recycling.

In a statement, the council said they received assurances that measures to rectify the situation would be implemented immediately.

"We can confirm that these agreed measures have now commenced, based upon the principle of over-resourcing, and will continue until the service is at the necessary standard," they added.

Bryson said they were "working very closely with the councils involved to resolve these issues".

They added: "There have been disruptions in our collection services recently as a result of staff shortages, weather conditions and higher volumes of recycling that we experience at this time of year.

"We understand residents' frustration with this and we would like to thank them for their patience and apologise for the inconvenience that this has caused."

Some residents in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area have also complained about missed collections.

The council has given Bryson until mid-February to put in place a new staffing solution to the delays.