‘Welfare vans’ keeping city bin crews safe
NEW ‘welfare vehicles’ have been deployed to help keep Coventry’s bin crews safe during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coventry City Council has more than a dozen vans tailing traditional refuse collection vehicles, as well as minibuses no longer in use by schools.
The vehicles are being used to help keep staff safe by offering them access to toilet and hand washing facilities, whilst also enabling crews to keep their distance from colleagues.
Councillor Patricia Hetherton, cabinet member for city services said: “We know how important it is that we keep essential services like bin collections running.
“But, its equally important that we ensure our crews can operate within the guidance to socially distance.
“We have 13 of these vehicles being used alongside minibuses, free due to school closures, which are being used as support vehicles for our crews.
“They enable crews to operate two in the cab and one in the support vehicle. The welfare vehicles also allow the crews access to toilet and hand washing facilities.
“Using these extra vehicles takes more staff and means the rounds can take longer to complete so we thank people for their patience and their messages of support which are a real boost to our hardworking crews.”
Bins crews have been left heartened by the support of Coventry residents, who have shown support and appreciation of their work during lockdown by waving and clapping as they pass.
However, some disruption to the service is expected.
Cllr Hetherton added: “If we don’t get to you on your scheduled collection day please leave bins out and we will get back as soon as we can.”
Garden waste collections were also suspended for two weeks last week, with the suspension likely to continue into a third week.
Cllr Hetherton added: “Garden waste remains suspended and is likely to be suspended next week too as we work out the best and most effective ways of completing rounds.”