WEEKLY black bin collections look set to return to Basildon as councillors approved launching a consultation with residents.
The controversial move to fortnightly wheelie bin collections in November sparked outrage among residents when they were rolled out last November, with many claim bins were being missed and piles of unsightly rubbish were lining the town’s streets.
The new Labour-led administration vowed to “fix the bins” and bring back weekly collections when it took control of the council in May and has now voted to go out to consultation with residents on the frequency of bin collections.
Consultation will include the option to collect non-recyclable waste on a weekly basis.
Billericay resident, Paul Markey, 70, welcomed the move and believes it is “common sense” to bring back weekly collections.
He said: “I think that the mere fact something has been done about anything is a cause for people to feel a bit better, and if that goes further then it is about time we should feel pleased to be in Basildon.
“Labour have a real job on their hands but I am feeling good about this, its early days, I wish them luck on this though and I really hope it works.
“The old saying is that the proof is in the pudding, it is nice to see a lot of things being addressed though.
“Consultations are consultations and action is action when it comes to the bins, I want to see common sense prevail.”
The Labour-led administration is also hosting a “crunch month” in a bid to help clear the town’s estates of Basildon of large household waste.
The first week saw huge piles of rubbish, including fridges, washing machines and mattresses collected from outside people’s homes.
Basildon Labour councillor responsible for environment and leisure, Aidan McGurran [pictured inset] said: “When we were elected to lead Basildon Council back in May we committed to residents that we would fix the bins. Since then, we have moved at pace to ensure we can reinstate weekly collections as quickly as we are able.
“The first step toward this is to engage with our residents and talk with the county council to make sure proper arrangements are in place before bringing forward options later in the year.
“This is a promise we made to local people and this decision shows that this administration intends to keep that promise.”
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