Cheltenham Households Face Extended Waste Collection Delays Over Festive Period

Certain households are facing collection intervals of up to 28 days for their refuse during the upcoming holiday season. Specifically, residents in Cheltenham whose recycling or green bin waste is scheduled for collection between December 11 and December 13 will experience a delay, with their next collection occurring between January 7 and January 9. The local borough council has stated that the purpose of this adjustment is to allow its waste and recycling personnel adequate time off to celebrate Christmas with their families. In contrast, other local council authorities across Gloucestershire are adjusting their collection schedules by either advancing or postponing pick-up days, with some operations continuing on Saturdays. For some residents, the collection of food waste, typically a weekly service, will be reduced to a fortnightly schedule. Clive Wilce, a Cheltenham resident, expressed his surprise regarding the new arrangements, stating: “I haven’t seen anything from the council but I think it will be the food waste that will be the biggest issue.” Gina Atkinson, residing in the Leckhampton area of Cheltenham, will experience a 28-day gap in the collection of her black bag waste. As a mother of a toddler, she voiced concerns about potential vermin. “I need to work out where I can get rid of his nappies,” she commented, further explaining, “In the back alley we actually have a rat issue at the moment, not in our houses but there’s an old sewage pipe.” Conversely, Alan Evans, also a Leckhampton resident, views the situation as minor, given that he typically generates minimal black bag waste. He remarked, “We generate very little waste we recycle everything, even beer bottle tops.” Councillor Izaac Tailford, the cabinet member overseeing waste and recycling at Cheltenham Borough Council, explained that this initiative represents a new trial designed to allow employees more time with their families. “They work hard for our town all year round, including catch up collections after bank holidays, so I am glad we could offer them a real break,” Mr Tailford stated. The council plans to provide an enhanced collection day in January, during which residents will be permitted to place additional black bags and recycling materials at the roadside. Residents wishing to dispose of waste earlier have the option of utilizing the bring banks located throughout the town or the Household Recycling Centre on Swindon Road, prior to its closure next year. For further updates, BBC Gloucestershire can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. This content is copyrighted by BBC 2024. All rights are reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites and provides information on its external linking policy.