ECHO readers have given their reactions to changes announced this week to Wirral's garden waste collections, with many people saying the changes are "not good enough."
Wirral Council announced yesterday they would be "temporarily" changing brown bin garden waste collections - which residents pay a year subscription for - from a fortnightly to a weekly service.
They say the move has been made to "minimise disruption" in the borough after their waste management partner, Biffa, announced a shortage of HGV1 drivers and problems from covid isolations which has led to bins in areas across the borough not being collected or collected late over recent weeks.
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Wirral Council says the decision to move to monthly collections means they will not have to suspend the service while they prioritise green and blue bin collections.
In a statement released on social media yesterday, a spokesperson for Wirral council said: "Due to a shortage in the availability of licensed HGV drivers across the country at the moment, garden waste collections in Wirral – which are usually fortnightly – will be carried out monthly from this week as a temporary arrangement.
"Our waste management partner, Biffa, are reporting a shortage of qualified drivers due to staff either testing positive for COVID-19 or having to isolate due to close contact with someone.
"There was some disruption to collections last week and Biffa had crews out over the weekend to catch up.
"A reduction in the frequency of garden waste collections, at least for the next four weeks, is seen as a less-disruptive alternative to suspending the service altogether while the collections of green and grey bins are prioritised due to the staffing shortages.
"As an optional service, we understand subscribers will be keen to get full value from their subscription and once we have reviewed the full extent of the disruption, we will be in touch with subscribers with further details regarding the missed collections.
"Subscribers should visit the council’s website to find out when their new collection date will be: https://www.wirral.gov.uk/bins-and.../brown-garden-waste-bin "
People had responded to the council's announcement yesterday on the Wirral Council Facebook page with anger at the decision, and have also taken to the comments section of the ECHO and social media to denounce the move.
On the ECHO Facebook page Epic Sugar Plum said: "Rats will love it."
Tim Ludgate simply stated: "It's rubbish."
Others referred to the fact that only some people make use of the service, since Wirral Council introduced an annual charge in 2013.
Nigel YNWA Mealor said: "I don't think many terraced houses have gardens "
Others spoke of their frustration at having recently paid their annual charge.
Jan Lyon said: "This takes the Micky - we’ve only just paid the subscription for this year and this is when we need the service most!"
Charlene Louise added: "They need to sort it I've just requested a refund."
Others spoke of their frustration at the short notice and what people have felt has been a lack of communication about when individual bins will be emptied.
Maureen McMahon said: "Find out the day before collection bin will not be emptied for another two weeks not good enough WBC"
Anita Bell added: "You have got to be joking !!! One was missed the other week with no word of when the missed collection was going to be added."
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