Bin collection changes leave residents fuming

POLICE descended on several streets in Thornton Lodge after reports of an assault.

Emergency services were called to the area at about 6.40pm last night to reports that a teenage boy had been seriously assaulted.

Officers attended and found a 16-year-old victim, who was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his legs.

Initial enquiries were ongoing at the scene and anyone who saw what happened or who has information is asked to contact Huddersfield CID on 101 referencing police log 1442 of August 3.

Information can also be given to the independent Crimestoppers charity, anonymously if necessary, on 0800 555 111.

The Examiner was told that police closed off two streets – Springdale Street and Thornton Lodge Road – and part of a third, Yews Hill Road. Angry with Kirklees waste collection service, Catrena Tucker, of Gledholt, in front of the 24 steep steps she has to climb to present her rubbish A PENSIONER says a change in council policy means she now has to lug bin bags of rubbish up two flights of steps for collection.

Catrena Tucker, 65, who lives in an under-dwelling at Gledholt Bank, Gledholt, was told in a letter from Kirklees Council that her bin bags would no longer be collected from the rear of the property and that they must now be presented for collection at a “designated point” at the front of the property.

That means she will have to carry two or three bin bags each fortnight up two flights of concrete steps – 24 steps in total. The occupants in five neighbouring properties – none of which are suitable for wheeled bins – are similarly affected.

Catrena said the letter from Kirklees had not specified the “designated point” for collection. She said there was nowhere she could leave the bags at the top of the steps without either blocking her access, her neighbour’s gate or the narrow pedestrian footpath.

As a result, during the first week of the new system the bin bags were left uncollected. When she rang to complain, Kirklees sent two workers to collect them.

“Our six properties have about three or four bin bags per household,” she said. “There were 19 bin bags that had to be collected. Are the council refusing to collect from every under-dwelling in Kirklees? There are lots of them in areas like Holmfirth, Milnsbridge and Longwood. It seems they have decided to change their policy whether we like it or not. I pay £87 a month council tax and I pay to have the rubbish collected.”

Catrena said she had refused to join the council’s assisted collections scheme, saying: “They sent me a questionnaire asking about medical conditions. I don’t see why I should be discussing my medical conditions with them. It’s the principle of the matter. Why are they cutting back on things like rubbish collections?”

The Examiner has contacted Kirklees Council for comment but no response has been received.