Brighton streets left without bin collections for weeks

People living in Warmdene Close and Manton Road have been left to clear up rubbish themselves after being told bins could not be collected due to access issues.

Tina Ockenden, who lives in Manton Road, said people had been forced to take the rubbish to the tip in their cars and that seagulls were ripping open the “piles and piles” of rubbish bags, leaving litter strewn across the area.

Unemptied bins in Manton Road (Image: Tina Ockenden)

The 60-year-old security officer described the situation, which has gone on for “months”, as “deeply distressing”.

“There are flies everywhere,” she said.

“Rubbish is piled up.

“We’re having to clean it up ourselves.

“It’s driving us mad.”

Recycling waiting to be collected in Manton Road (Image: Tina Ockenden)

She said some bins were finally collected yesterday morning.

A pensioner, who lives in Warmdene Close and did not want to be named, says rubbish has not been collected for six weeks.

Rubbish in Warmdene Close (Image: Submitted)

“We’re getting maggots,” she said.

“It’s awful.

“One family has just had a baby and there were nappies everywhere because of foxes and seagulls ripping the bags.

"We have paid our council taxes and therefore the refuse collection service should be provided."

The 73-year-old has lived in the close for 31 years and said a small truck has always been available.

The overhanging tree branch in Old Court Close in Brighton (Image: Steve Hancock)

An overhanging tree branch in Old Court Close in Brighton also meant residents did not have their glass bottles collected since May, recycling since June and were left without rubbish collections for weeks.

The branch has now been removed and recycling and waste collected.

Ann-Marie Casey in Davey Drive, Hollingdean, did not have her bins collected for 25 days from the end of July to August 21.

Overflowing bins in Davey Drive, Hollingdean (Image: Ann-Marie Casey)

People in the street put their waste in a bin shelter in the Linkway.

She said: “It was horrible, the bins were overflowing.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman apologised for the missed collections and said "inconsiderately" parked cars had prevented collections taking place.

“We have had issues around access at all three addresses," he said.

“The overhanging branch at Old Court Close has now been removed and we collected there this morning.

“We’d like to apologise for the delay in cutting the branch back.

“Unfortunately, most of our tree management resources are being used to try to control Dutch elm disease.

“This only gives us limited capacity for other jobs, even ones like this that we’d really like to prioritise.

Packed recycling bins in Manton Road (Image: Tina Ockenden)

“At Warmdene Close we’ve had problems with cars frequently parking in the turning circle.

“Following discussions with the police these have now been resolved.

“We went to pick up from Manton Road earlier today but once again inconsiderately parked cars made this impossible.

“We are also aware that some bushes need cutting back there and will attend to this as soon as we can.

“We will definitely be collecting from Warmdene Close and Manton Road this week.”