Rubbish bags have accumulated on the streets of Carmarthenshire for up to a week due to a shortage of staff in waste collection services. Carmarthenshire Council attempted a new system over the recent bank holiday, where residents were sent letters advising on new rubbish collection dates. However, the collection did not occur as planned, leading to bags piling up on the kerbs for an extended period.
Residents in various parts of Carmarthenshire have resorted to stacking rubbish on top of existing piles outside their homes due to disruptions in the bin collection schedule. The issue of delayed collections around bank holiday periods is not unfamiliar, affecting regions across the country. In this particular instance, despite advance notice of revised collection dates sent through letters, many residents found their waste remaining uncollected.
Some residents expressed frustration over waste not being collected for a whole week, while others mentioned partial collection only. Concerns were raised about potential environmental hazards due to delays in waste removal. Carmarthenshire Council acknowledged the challenges faced in waste collection during bank holidays and attempted a new approach, citing unexpected staffing issues as a reason for the disruptions.
The council clarified that the recent problems were not a result of unwillingness to pay staff overtime for bank holiday work but rather a long-standing issue with ensuring service continuity during such periods. The council is now reviewing the new collection system trialled during the recent bank holiday to address challenges and areas for improvement before the next holiday period.
Despite the difficulties faced, the council mentioned that most collections were completed as communicated in the letters sent to residents. While the exact cost of sending out the letters was not disclosed, the council stated that the overall expenses for the trial were expected to be lower than previous arrangements for bank holiday waste collections. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on local news for further developments.