Winter tip opening hours as Birmingham bin strike threatens to drags on into Christmas
Birmingham City Council has confirmed the winter opening hours of its tips as the city's bins strike threatens to drag on deep into the festive period.
Industrial action this year has brought turbulence to the city, whether it’s mountains of rubbish; pickets outside bin depots or angry outbursts during council meetings.
It’s also inflicted a financial cost of at least £14 million to a cash-strapped council currently trying to recover from a financial crisis.
One of the measures the Labour-run council took around the height of the bins strike was to extend the opening hours of its tips to increase capacity.
With the strike now in its eleventh month, the local authority has this week confirmed winter opening hours at its five tips.
They are as follows:
Monday to Friday:
Tyseley, Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield, Castle Bromwich: 7am-6pm
Kings Norton: Mon-Fri 7am-9pm
Sat and Sun:
Tyseley, Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield, Kings Norton: 8am-6pm
Castle Bromwich: 8am-4:30pm
This week also saw the council confirm its plans for waste and recycling collections in Birmingham over the Christmas and New Year period .
There will be no collections on Christmas Day or Boxing Day – households with collections scheduled for these two days will have collections on December 29 and 30 respectively.
While every household on other days will get a collection, they will be on alternative days to their usual collection days.
The council says this is to ensure every resident has a clear collection day rather than relying on a ‘catch-up’ collection.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment, said: “As always, we try to find a balance between providing a service and ensuring our waste crews get to spend time with family and friends over the festive period.
“Traditionally crews have never worked Christmas Day or Boxing Day, but there will be a collection on New Year’s Day.
“However, residents’ usual collection days will be different so please make sure you check before putting out your bin.
“The city’s network of Household Recycling Centres will be open every day except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Please book a slot before going. I would urge everyone to check out what is scheduled for them over the holiday period.
“I know residents have been incredibly patient during the year and I would like to thank them for this.”
The bins strike was initially triggered by a dispute by the council and Unite the union over the loss of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.
Striking workers have raised concerns about pay while the council’s leadership has repeatedly insisted a “fair and reasonable” offer had been made.
