Bin collections back to normal after mix-up

Bin collections in the Dudley borough were returning to normal today after a week of chaos that has followed the festive season.

Rubbish lined streets in Sedgley and Kingswinford after collections were put back a day after the holiday. Hundreds of people put their bins out on the usual day because they claimed they had not heard about the changes. They said their uncollected rubbish created a health and safety hazard which could attract vermin and vandals.

Dudley Council chiefs said they had done their best to advertise the changes but apologised for the mix-up and have pledged to review the way they publicise alterations for collections in future.

Councillor Lynn Boleyn, ward councillor for Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, an area affected by the confusion, said the council should ensure information is circulated to all residents next year.

She said: "It is very difficult for councils to get their message across but I think distributing leaflets would be a good idea."

Amanda Startin was one of those who put her bins out on the usual day and she said the vast majority of her neighbours in Viewfield Crescent, Sedgley, had also been unaware of the changes. She said a "foul stench" developed in the area and claimed she was forced to collect stray rubbish from along the pavement because she feared it would attract rats.

"We had no warnings that the collections weren't happening and there were piles and piles of bags put out," she said.

Dudley Council spokeswoman Katherine Finney said the authority used the media to advertise changes.

She said: "We apologise to residents who were not aware of the changes and we will look at what we can do to improve this for next year."