A DELAY in the collection of recycling waste over the New Year period left certain Grimsby streets looking "horrendous" – according to one borough councillor.
Liberal Democrat councillor for the East Marsh, Steve Beasant, has received complaints from residents whose recycling boxes have overflowed into their road.
The blue, orange and green recycling boxes do not have lids on them so there is no way of stopping the content flying off across the pavement and into the street in adverse weather conditions.
It is particularly problematic at this time of year, given that families have acquired excess bottles, cans and cardboard packaging during the celebratory festive period.
Councillor Beasant said: "The recycling was meant to be collected last Wednesday, we were then told that the delayed collection would be sorted by Friday and Saturday but they never turned up.
"There was high winds on Friday which caused litter to spread all over the roads – like Columbia, Cooper and Fairmont.
"It was horrendous, it really was, so I went out and collected some off the streets myself and tried to put them in our bins – it's a joke.
"I have received ten different complaints from residents asking why they have not been collected.
"If they had said that because of the time of year it is, they would not be collecting from certain areas until such a time then that would be more acceptable, but don't say you're going to come and then not turn up."
Councillor Beasant, of Columbia Road, is no stranger to collecting rubbish within the ward, having volunteered as a litter picker in the past, pictured right.
Columbia Road resident Dave Smith said: "I could see the recycling blowing into the gutters on the street and so we cleared what was around our house.
"At this time of year, I feel it's more important to clear the recycling because of how much more each household goes through.
"Our green bin has been cleared and that is good but why can't they do the same with the recycling too?"
A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesman said: "As previously reported, the collection of waste bins and recycling boxes across North East Lincolnshire over the festive period ran behind schedule.
"The freezing temperatures made it difficult for crews to make collections due to slippery roads and footways.
"Since then, operatives have been working to clear the backlog and all domestic waste has now been collected.
"However, the collection of dry recyclables is still running behind schedule in some areas of the borough.
"Residents are asked to present their recycling boxes on their normal collection day and the backlog will be cleared by Friday.
"Additional vehicles have been deployed to clear the backlog with 24 crews currently operating instead of the normal 11.
"The council apologises for any inconvenience the delay in collections may have caused."
