Following the introduction of wheelie bins by Tendring Council some time ago, the council’s previous regular and reliable refuse service has deteriorated to a point well below what can correctly be described as “teething problems”.

Although the new system was rolled out many weeks ago, the council’s website still tells residents: “Sorry, we don’t have the collection details yet for your address.”

Refuse collections have subsequently occurred sometimes on Thursdays, sometimes on Fridays or Saturdays and occasionally not at all.

The huge percentage increase in food waste recycling, which is reported, must be questioned when the contents of food waste caddies and recycling boxes, carefully separated by residents following council’s guidelines, are thrown into the same dustcart bin together.

Despite a year’s planning, either vehicle capacity or operator numbers, or both, are apparently inadequate to provide the minimum standard of refuse collection which taxpayers have a right to expect from the council.

Unless these shortcomings can be addressed and resolved without further delay, the whole wheelie bin exercise should be scrapped and refuse collections returned to the previous regular and reliable arrangements.

David Nicholls

High Street, Manningtree