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I hope Mr. Slattery is able to sleep at night and support from Brentford gives him comfort.I found the more flexible approach being adopted by Ealing for Bedford Park residents interesting.Peter Eversden writes on the "Wheelie bin assessment" thread on ChiswickW4 :"Many people in Hounslow and Ealing Council are very angry about the way the Councils have implemented their new waste collection using wheeled bins.The Bedford Park Society sought from LB Hounslow a low bin so that it would not project above a garden wall. They refused. We asked for a bin with a clip to lock the lid so that they could be stored on their side and be less visible.    They refused. We asked that residents could buy a small bin to the Council's specification. They refused.Now, thanks to the Bedford Park Community Group, LB Ealing has agreed to both of those latter options when they implement their scheme.At least, LB Hounslow is to continue with their current recycling system.  Ealing Council is going to introduce a vast wheeled bin for recyclables!The large residual waste bins will encourage people to dump anything in them, so black bags are likely to contain things that should be recycled and the Council will have to reduce other services so they can pay the fines for extra land-fill.  Most people put out a black bag every four to six weeks, so these monstrous wheeled bins should have been subject to better consultation before being imposed by LB Hounslow.They have caused the biggest harm to the appearance of Chiswick and, particularly its conservation areas, since the bombs of the Second World War.We have to find ways of living with these bins. Perhaps we could devise or find a clip that would enable them to be stored horizontally. Perhaps people could share with a neighbour who can conceal their bin or share with several homes. Possibly we could design a bin housing unit for front gardens for people without a side passageway that would house the bins and provide a uniform appearance.  Covering by ivy or some other plant could be useful."

Tim Henderson ● 3391d

Walking around on wednesday shows now, how little is now in recycling boxes compared with how it was. These huge bins take up so much space it leaves little space for the rest. Unless you want all the refuse out in the front of your home engulfing everything, then the only option is to chuck it all into one place.The collections clearly don't work. Bins left all over the place, other collections impeded by the obstructions caused by the bins, as well as hindering deliveries from postal to gas meter readers.What the idiots in charge cannot understand is that black bags were generally put out for just a few hours and as long as collections are when they are scheduled, they are gone. These oversized monoliths are stuck outside causing obstructions and the way for days on end and many are now permanent eyesores in most streets. The inefficient use of labour for collection is there for all to see. It takes up to a minute to empty just one with half a bag in it. If the street is packed with parked vehicles, it can take even longer. It just does not work.That half a bag, done by hand from housefront to truck, takes about 5 seconds.If it ain't broke then don't try to fix it. Add to that the energy wasted by the truck idling longer and using it's bin lifting equipment in accordance to correct procedure and the cost must be way in excess of costs saved. Do the maths and even monthly collections won't cover for the 6 fold increase in collection times and vehicle operating costs and wear and tear on additional mechanical plant involvedThey know this and that's why they are foisting garden waste charges to try and offset increased costs from the gormless initiatives cooked up by  the rather secretive Waste London Waste authority.The only winners are waste companies who are licking their lips at the profit hikes that are now to be made by ill conceived legislation and naive applications by the WLWA and local councils.We are all being duped about recycling and what really happens to it.As for garden waste, it is profitable. Used for fuel, compost and fertiliser. But the huge drop in use of the Ealing service since charges were imposed has wiped out the profit . Something that it's instigator, Cllr. Bassam Mahfouz, also on the WLWA committee completely refuses to answer questions about. Rather like his chum and Hounslow counterpart Amarit Mann.The charges are a 'subsidy' for the cost increases caused by the wheelie bin overheads. Plus the administrative costs which almost outstrip the income.Mahfouz and Mann though, make a few bob out of this for themselves. The renumeration on the WLWA is rather good. The WLWA also has had more meetings in closed session than any other Waste Authority.  Why?Both refuse to engage with the electorate. Using press office statements to hide behind. Very crass. Smells worse than  an unwashed refuse truck on a hot summers day.

Raymond Havelock ● 3437d

If everyone is charged with keeping their bin clean, which will happen anyway if it is stored near a pathway 'cause it will stink, why are we being told to use bags inside it?  I would prefer to throw stuff in if it is clean and dry and bag anything else.  This would save a fortune in bin bags and stop all that extra plastic which is no longer needed to contain the rubbish.  Also means the bins can be used to capacity, not to the shape of the bags being thrown inside.We are a 5 adult household but don't qualify for a larger bin until we are 6 yet the same bin size is given out for a one or two person household.  This means we are restricted with extra, normal, household waste such as bedding so I am being told to go to the tip or pay for the extra waste by booking a bulky waste collection for a duvet making my normal household waste collection very expensive indeed.Wheelie bins in other areas are slightly different in shape ( amazing at how you can notice such things ....! ) and as such less prone to blow over in the wind.  Ours spent a considerable time on its side last week until we worked out how to prop it up.  Only a matter of time until they hit cars in driveways.The additional benefit of enclosing rubbish to stop it blowing down the street is lost as nobody has been listening to complaints about the plastic recycling people leaving a trail everywhere they go.  I said I pick up the loose stuff outside in the street and put it in my bin, well the trail this morning proved the source as it was left after the plastics people went past.Why can't they just turn around and pick up what they have obviously dropped?

Sarah Felstead ● 3440d

Don't think there was anything wrong with the contents or else they would have stuck stickers on them, as they did my neighbours extra bags.  You do think that some flexibility wold be included in this, especially as everyone is trying to get it right.  My neighbours put out the most amazing pile of recycling, filling two green boxes and all the other assortment of bags.  They still had two black bags which could not go in the bin.  With such an obvious attempt to recycle and being outside talking to the latest enforcement people for rubbish, you think that the enforcer could have stuck green labels on the two bags to say good to go.  Instead the dustmen came along later and had to put red ones on, and leave them.  I went out while the conversation was going on about the extra bags and chipped in from having read and reread the rules, that they were entitled to a larger bin.  The enforcer said that they hadn't told her that, and much discussion was then had about supplying of birth certificates.  I would have hoped that the first question would have been who is in your household? so they could have been told.  As I said people are trying so give support in a positive manner, please.  Also thinking issues through as questions arise, might be nice.  Traditionally the dustmen have taken bedding, in recent years that included duvets and pillows.  This is household waste.  The recycling people have agreed that a large duvet won't go in the bin very easily.  With extra shredding you ring and book extra bags so they come prepared to take, say, 3 black sacks.  Works well if you don't count the queuing system on the call centre phones.  I asked if I could book a bag of bedding, beside the bin, in the same way.  The answer is to take it to the dump or to pay for a bulky waste collection.  Would love somebody to have a thought about this please.  I can see the three piece suites on street corners being added to with duvet style throws ..... ;).

Sarah Felstead ● 3451d

Before continuing with my posting I have been out to check that the contents of my wheelie bin, 2 small lightweight bags, are still there after the main collection on Tuesday and are the reason for my emails, phone calls and automatic telephone messages, including the email headed complaint.My wheelie bin this week contained two small bags of household rubbish.  Topping them was another bag with two pillows and topping the lot, just under the lid, which was closed, was my bag of street litter and front garden litter.  This is always a small bag with around 10 or so pieces found on the pavement and gutter outside in the street and some which has blown into our front garden, I have a long handled litter picker for this.  It makes sense to use it as often the street cleaner pops around when the rubbish has blown into the garden, so he doesn't pick it up, and the next puff of wind blows it back out into the gutter again.The top bag and the pillows were taken and the remainder was left.  My first though was, as we make mistakes as we start this recycling cycle, that having closed the lid the bin men didn't see the remaining bags.  Our dustmen are great, and I often post about them being worth their weight in gold, so I could not see any other reason.  The knock on effect under this level of supervision is that half my bin is filled so I won't have enough room for next weeks rubbish, so I reported the missed collection and the mystery is it is still missed.  I have even sent them some photos.  :(

Sarah Felstead ● 3452d

Despite huge local opposition to the imposition of wheelie bins into the St Pauls Conservation Area and surrounding streets, including an online petition, a street petition from Lateward Road with 100% support, a presentation at the recent Isleworth and Brentford Area Forum, and a huge amount of emails and phone calls to local councillors, wheelie bins were placed on resident’s property in the area last Wednesday.This has left residents angered about complete lack of consultation about wheelie bins or any discussion at all about waste and recycling, so that is why there was a protest on thursday evening outside Cllr Curran's house - because the residents have had enough of the blackmail and bullying tactics from the council.Steve Curran turned up parking his car at speed and then shouting and screaming at the protestors to “p*** off”. Several residents tried to put questions to Mr Curran -  but all were greeted with “ P*** off “ or “F*** off” and then Mr Curran decided to get on his mobile phone and call the police – why? To protect himself from twenty five middle aged residents some of whom have know Mr Curran for years, and a couple of children?  No, purely to bully local residents.There was no tone of humour or conciliation from Mr Curran as one might expect in such circumstances, no magnanimity at all. This is a man devoid of charm who is a coward and a bully. He is an insolent local petty chief without manners and misuses his power by calling six police officers for no reason but to bully and scare the residents, yet this is the leader of Hounslow Council.Perhaps the most telling thing said by Mr Curran was “ if you don’t want one ( a wheelie bin) then don’t have one”.  The residents will hold Mr Curran to this.In the meantime it seems residents unwanted wheelie bins are finding their way to St Pauls Park and there is a growing number.And of course Cllr Curran letting us know that our rubbish will not be picked up is yet more bullying and blackmail.Protests will continue unless Cllr Curran sits down with the residents and discusses wheelie bins. We have had enough!!!

Paul Slattery ● 3549d

“I firmly believe in the right to protest and I know people feel very strongly, both for and against the introduction of wheelie bins, but there are appropriate ways to make your feelings known.As Leader of Hounslow Council, I take full responsibility for the decisions we take, but it’s simply not appropriate for a crowd of people to heckle and barrack me at night, outside the home which I share with my family. Nor is it right to prevent access in and out of my house with wheelie bins. Protesting outside my house is also not fair to my neighbours.“I had no option but to call the police as I was being harassed and felt threatened.“Council matters should always be debated in the right environments such as Area Forums, Cabinet and Borough Council meetings.“If you don’t use your wheelie bin; or if you tell us you don’t want one, it will be removed. The dozens of bins that I am told were left again this morning (Friday) blocking access in and out of my house have all been removed.“To be absolutely clear on this, if we take away your wheelie when the council has assessed your property as being suitable for the new collection service, it then becomes a household’s responsibility to get rid of their rubbish. We will not collect any waste left out in black bags where households have refused to use their wheelie bins. You can take your rubbish to Space Waye the borough’s Hounslow’s re-use and recycling centre.  Anyone found to be fly tipping will be prosecuted.“The borough-wide roll out of wheelie bins follows positive comments from residents already using wheelie bins. In a recent survey more than two-thirds of those who responded were satisfied with the service, and almost two thirds also agreed that their street was cleaner as a result of introducing the new service. I urge everyone with reservations about the new bins to give them a go. “If you have had your wheelie bin removed and you would like it returned, please email wheeliebin@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 2189 to arrange this.”Cllr Steve CurranLeader of Hounslow Council

Hounslow Council ● 3549d

'This is not the issue, people around here have always been enthusiastic recyclers.  Walk around on collection day and it's there to see.  It's quite different in some other parts of the borough and frankly, I wonder why LBH are not focussing their efforts in those areas.'I can't comment on the level of recycling in some other areas but I  have no doubt that what you say is true and it seems, as you say, that the Council 'engagement officers' have made little effort to engage with these people. Even in my area there are a very few people who don't recycle and in an email in reply to one of mine, the Council has invited me to inform on these people so that they can 'engage' them. What?!In response to another question, the Council has said that they wish to treat people equitably with regard to exemptions and that I should report any instances I deem to be unfair. As if. The fewer of the monstrosities outside of properties with small frontages and no back access the better as far as I'm concerned.In yet another response I have been told unequivocally that one will be required to make room for the bin by moving bikes, potted plants or anything else which is not a permanent fixture. In other words the Council can dictate how you use your small front space.This seems to be contrary to the 'advice' given at last Thursday's Isleworth and Brentford Area Forum when the two Council mouthpieces said to a questioner that she was welcome to apply for an exemption on account of her small frontage (sorry!) and bike.The Council has assured me that they want to treat all residents equally. I would suggest that this is not the case - treating everybody the same is not treating everybody equally when you don't take individual circumstances into account i.e. treating houses with very small frontages and no back access the same as houses with larger spaces etc where, indeed, wheelies may be the best 'fit'.

Anne England ● 3551d