Halesowen mum hits out at council's bin collection service (From Halesowen News)

Halesowen mum hits out at council's bin collection service

11:20am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News

AN ANGRY Halesowen mum says her estate looks a “mess” because bin men do not pick up rubbish which falls out of bags ripped open by animals.

Melissa Hardwick, of Hawne Lane, said bin bags left over night in her street are attacked by foxes, causing rubbish to spill out onto the pavement.

The 36-year-old mum of one said she is angered at watching bin men collect bags at 7am, but walk over the remaining rubbish.

Mrs Hardwick, a Dudley Council family support worker, said: “We treble bag our bin bags but foxes still manage to rip them apart causing rubbish to spill onto the roads and pavements.

“For the third Monday morning my husband has had to go out before work and pick up debris the bin men won’t pick up.

“This is disgusting given the fact that they are paid to pick rubbish up and have the gloves to do so.

“We can’t get rid of our fox problem so the council need to give us either plastic refuge bins that we can put out on the pavements or they need to come back and pick up all the rubbish on our lane!”

Mrs Hardwick said she does not get time to put bin bags out in the morning as she has to get her son to childcare and herself to work.

Councillor Tracy Wood, cabinet member for environment and culture, said: "Refuse collectors will pick up minor spillages but instances of rubbish scattered across the road will be reported to our street cleansing team.

“Residents can place bags out for collection as late as 6am on the morning of collection, where possible.

“In this particular case the collection in Hawne Lane is between 8.30am and 9am so the bags do not need to be left out overnight."

Mrs Hardwick reported the matter to the council and received an e mail saying she could buy a bin and use this to put her rubbish in at the kerbside.