Resident fed up with bin problem
A Stirling man suffering from a debilitating lung condition expressed frustration this week at the delay in having his bins uplifted.
Ex-miner Thomas McEwan has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and struggles for breath during any physical activity.
Sixty-six-year-old Mr McEwan, of Torbrex Road, told the Observer he had explained his problem to Stirling Council and had been assured something would be done to uplift the bins.
However, he said“at least seven weeks”had passed and nothing done about it.
Mr McEwan pointed out:“I’m constantly out of breath. I cannot walk 20 metres. To look at me you would think my health was fine, but I have to use three different types of inhalers and take umpteen amounts of tablets.
“I need help to get my bins put out for uplift. I’ve phoned the council six times in six weeks. I spoke to an official from the council who came out to my home a few weeks ago and was told something would be done.
“However, nothing has been done about it. I’m now getting complaints from neighbours about the smell.
“I feel that I’m being fobbed off by the council.”
Mr McEwan worked at Polmaise Colliery from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. He was later employed on oil rigs but had to take early retirement about eight years ago due to ill health.
Stirling Council uplifted Mr McEwan’s bins yesterday (Tuesday).
A Council spokesman said:“Stirling Council is responsible for the uplift of waste for over 90,000 residents over a wide area.
“Council Tax payers rightly have an expectation that we fully assess those who make a request for a pullout service.
“We are happy that Mr McEwan met the criteria and a pullout service had already been arranged before the resident contacted the Observer.”