Anger at change to bin collections

RESIDENTS in a rural part of Angus are demanding a council tax cut in a row over their rubbish collections.

Graeme Boyle and his neighbour Pauline Anderson are furious that Angus Council will no longer use a private farm road to empty their bins.

They are among four households affected just off Emmock Road on the outskirts of Dundee.

Graeme, a blue badge-holder, said: “Until now the bin lorries have come down the road to empty our bins.

“However, the council have told us they will only collect the rubbish from the bins if they are taken to the end of the farm road.

“This is a half kilometre road and up a steep incline. I walk with a stick because of arthritis and am unable to take the bins to the top of the road.

“The only alternative we have is to leave the bins at the top on private farm land, and I am not prepared to do that, or take the rubbish ourselves into Forfar to the recycling centre.

“I cannot physically do this. I am asking the council for a reduction in my council tax as they are not carrying out this service for us.”

Pauline said: “I don’t think it is right that they are now refusing to empty our bins for us because of some new policy.”

Local councillor Beth Whiteside said the council’s policy had been in place for “several years.”

“The road in question has continued, until now, to have their bins collected outside the houses, however this is now being brought into line with other similar locations,” she said.

“I have sympathy with the residents in this case, however, I would be unable to press for a reversal of the decision for one private road alone, as the issue affects many other private roads in Angus.”

An Angus Council spokesman added: “This is a policy adopted by many Scottish councils and enables the efficient delivery of household collection services...while reducing the risk of damage to collection vehicles and the associated costs.

“Most road end collections were introduced in 2014 with the introduction of our then new kerbside recycling service.”

Graeme Boyle of Whitewalls suffers from arthritis and says he is unable to take his bin to the top of the farm road.