The big stink: York bins left uncollected for weeks attract vermin and flies
Bin bags left uncollected for weeks in a York neighbourhood have been ripped open by animals and infested with flies, residents say.
General waste and recycling bins were left uncollected in The Groves from Tuesday, 11 August after gas works cut off access for City of York Council rubbish collection crews.
Stephanie Holdsworth, who lives in Diamond Street, said the rubbish had started to smell and accused the council of ignoring a growing health hazard.
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Photographs: Stephanie Holdsworth
Ian Hoult, the council’s environmental services lead, apologised to affected residents and said crews would collect the waste as soon as possible.
It comes as Mrs Holdsworth and other residents said the issue began with the council missing recycling collections on Tuesday, 11 August and the general waste round the following week.
She added Diamond Street, Emerald Street and Earle Street were among those affected and the council had not attempted to collect the rubbish despite several calls from residents.
Waste remained uncollected as of Monday, 23 August.
“The council have not collected anything or even attempted it,” Mrs Holdsworth said.
“Now the big bags and bins are starting to smell as bags are scratched open by animals and they’re getting infested with flies, even though the residents have all tried their very best to keep things safe and tidy.
Photographs: Stephanie Holdsworth
“The council simply doesn’t and are quite happy to ignore a health hazard in our streets as it’s not a very prestigious area of York.
“We all suspect that the council is simply leaving the collection until the next scheduled date, effectively leaving us with only one bins and recycling collection a month and the residents just have to lump it.”
Another Groves resident, who asked not to be named, said people who get assisted collections and only use bin bags were particularly affected by bad smells.
They said: “They are bring ripped apart by vermin and are littering the streets.
“The council do not seem to care even when it is reported to them.”
Mr Hoult said the gas works which had now been completed had made it difficult for crews to access the streets.
He said: “We apologise for any inconvenience that residents in the area have experienced.
“Our crews will be attending these properties as soon as possible to carry out the delayed collections.”
Man dies in crash near Selby – Police seek witnesses
Police are investigating a fatal crash near Selby.
It happened at about 3.10pm on Sunday (23 August) on the A1246, at the junction with Holyrood Lane.
The collision involved a motorbike.
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Crash location
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Sadly, the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“His family are being supported by specially trained officers, and have requested privacy at this difficult time.
“Officers want to hear from anyone who witnessed a Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle prior to the collision, or who may have relevant dashcam, CCTV or other footage from the area.”
If you can help police, you can contact them on the numbers below.
