York council collects rubbish from The Groves after outcry

Recycling and general waste was collected from streets in The Groves after gas works cut off access for bin collection crews, City of York Council has confirmed.

Council environmental services lead Ian Hoult apologised to residents affected by the delays and pledged to collect the rubbish as soon as possible.

It comes after Stephanie Holdsworth, who lives in Diamond Street, accused the council of ignoring a growing health hazard after first missing a recycling collection on Tuesday, August 11.

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General waste went uncollected the following week on Tuesday, August 18.

Mrs Holdsworth said Diamond Street, Emerald Street and Earle Street were among those affected and the council had not attempted to collect the rubbish despite several calls from residents.

Speaking ahead of waste the council’s confirmation on Thursday, August 27 that waste had been collected, the resident said: “The council have not collected anything or even attempted it and now the big bags and bins are starting to smell as bags are scratched open by animals and they’re getting infested with flies, even though the residents have all tried their very best to keep things safe and tidy.

“The council simply doesn’t care and are quite happy to ignore a health hazard in our streets as it’s not a very prestigious area of York.

Uncollected bins and rubbish in The Groves, York (Image: Stephanie Holdsworth)

“We all suspect that the council is simply leaving the collection until the next scheduled date, effectively leaving us with only one bins and recycling collection a month and the residents just have to lump it.”

Another Groves resident, who asked not to be named, said people who get assisted collections and only use bin bags were particularly affected by bad smells.

They said: “They are being ripped apart by vermin and are littering the streets.

“The council do not seem to care even when it is reported to them.”

Mr Hoult said the gas works had made it difficult for crews to access the streets.

He said: “We apologise for any inconvenience that residents in the area have experienced.

“Our crews will be attending these properties as soon as possible to carry out the delayed collections.”

Separately, the council has said waste collections across York will be unaffected by the bank holiday on Monday, August 31.

People have been told to be aware that the council’s Hazel Court and Towthorpe tips are likely to be busier than usual over the weekend.

The council has said people should remember to pre-book a slot to visit Hazel Court if they are planning on disposing of waste there.