Wiltshire Council urged to crack down on bins left out on pavements

The actions are impacting passers-by, including people with pushchairs and wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

Cllr Stewart Palmen, the leader of Trowbridge Town Council, said he was becoming “a bit frustrated” about the issue because Wiltshire Council had sent out letters asking people not to block pavements.

“Generally, around town it is becoming more common to see bins out all the time. It is becoming a harder issue to tackle.

“I am bit frustrated with Wiltshire Council because they sent letters out to people who have got these bins out there but nothing seems to follow up.”

Cllr Palmen said the issue was particularly acute in Duke Street, which has narrow pavements on both sides.

The street is partially one-way when motorists turn left from Church Street, meaning pedestrians are vulnerable as vehicles sweep around the corner.

But it was also bad in other town centre areas, including Narrow Wine Street, Newtown and even the Wingfield Road near the Stallards Inn, he said.

Dustbins line the pavements in Newtown, Trowbridge, posing problems for pedestrians with pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Image: Trevor Porter 76955-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Referring to Duke Street, one resident said: “I cannot go down there on my electric buggy as you have to go on the road the wrong way as there is so many bins blocking the footpath and the pavement is quite narrow.”

One man said: “It’s been like it for years. I have brought the subject up many times and get told it’s being sorted.

“There is an area at rear for bins. I expect there will be no change in future. I have seen many close shaves when cars come around corner where people are walking in the road as the footpath is blocked.”

Another resident added: “We should empty the bins every day like they do in some municipalities in Portugal.

“It doesn't cost any more when you plan it that way because it's the same amount of rubbish. Bins would be tiny and the collection vehicle would be van-sized, not a lorry.

“If we also had waste disposal units in the sink as they do in the USA, food waste is dealt with as well. Problem solved.”

Cllr Palmen apologised to the people commenting online, saying: “Will follow up again, but getting frustrated myself as letters had been sent out and action was needed some time ago. Sorry about this.”

Cllr Dominic Muns, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We request that residents present their domestic bins by 7am on the morning of their collection day, at the kerbside with the handle facing the road and with the bin lid closed. Bins should then be taken back in as soon as possible after the collection has been completed.

“Commercial bins must only be presented on their arranged day(s) of collection with their licensed waste collector. They must not be stored on any highway or land without landowner permission outside of collection days.

“Should we receive reports that containers are continually being left out after collection, we will write to those households or business owners and remind them of the need to do so.

“If we are required to send multiple letters to a specific address, enforcement action such as Community Protection Notices and/or Fixed Penalty Notices may be conducted against those who continue to leave their bins on the highway.”