Refuse Service Suspended After Injuries

Published on 7 January 2010

Following accidents and injuries to several members of refuse collection teams, all waste and recycling collections have been suspended throughout the district. Our collection crews are facing severe difficulties in providing the service due to the very dangerous conditions which exist on many of the district’s roads and pavements.

During the suspension of normal operations we have diverted resources to the gritting of town centres and secondary shopping areas in support of the County Council who are responsible for gritting operations in the district.

We are monitoring the situation carefully and will recommence waste and refuse collections as soon as it is safe to do so. We will then prioritise collections so that those properties that have been waiting the longest for a collection are dealt with first.

The decision to suspend normal collection arrangements has not been taken lightly and the Council apologises for the continued disruption. However, despite the best efforts of the waste crews to provide collection services, conditions are such that a number of accidents have taken place which have caused significant injuries to waste operatives.

We will continue to provide updates on the situation here on the Council’s website. We are thankful for residents' understanding and co-operation during this difficult period.

Councillor Mary Sartin, Environment Portfolio Holder for Epping Forest District Council said: “I would like to express my thanks and concern for the waste collection crews. They have done everything possible to keep collections going but conditions have become too dangerous. Refuse and recycling collections will recommence as soon as it is safe. In the meantime I would like to thank residents for their continuing patience and support.”

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