Council binmen can’t keep up with hordes of resort visitors

BINS were left overflowing at seaside resorts in North Somerset – because the council couldn’t keep up with emptying them.

Towns including Weston-superMare, Clevedon and Portishead saw a deluge of visitors over the bank holiday weekend because of the warm, sunny weather and the easing of Government lockdown restrictions.

But those enjoying the coast also brought rubbish with them as people enjoyed ice creams, take-aways and picnics.

And the volume of rubbish was such that contractors could not keep up with emptying bins.

Local people complained to the council about the overfilled bins, claiming they made the seafronts look a mess and the rubbish was a magnet for seagulls and rats.

Portishead resident Tam Louise said people needed to act responsibly and take their rubbish home with them if the bins were full.

Tam said: “Most of the bins were overflowing with rubbish.

“It was just a mess.

“I walk the dog most mornings down there and see the van collecting the rubbish from the bins daily, so it’s nothing to do with limited services.

“Just certain people don’t take it home.

“It’s common sense really. If the bin is full, take it home.”

Clevedon resident Peter Gibbs also took pictures of overflowing bins along Clevedon seafront.

Mr Gibbs said: “I feel sorry for the North Somerset Council bin men, who do a great job.

“But they have to put up with scenes like that after every weekend and bank holiday.”

North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said: “We had our normal staffing levels over the weekend and on bank holiday Monday but the sheer volume of people on the beach and seafronts meant staff could not keep up.”