Halliwell missed bin collections raised at Bolton Council

This comes after complaints about missed green bin collections in the Halliwell area, particularly around Thorn Street, Ullswater Street and Pendlebury Street.

People in the area say they have also been concerned about having to take bins to the edge of the street.

Sutcliffe Area Residents Association's Chair Rukshana Bagas: “We are sick of being treated in this disrespectful manner, especially by the green bin collection team and by the waste department as a whole.”

She added: “Everyone here feels that we are being held to ransom and if we don't meet the demands of the council to roll our bins to the end of the street, regardless of age or illness, we won't have our bins collected!”

This has been mirrored by similar issues reported throughout the borough in recent weeks and months.

Bolton Green Party chair Alan Johnson said: "Our volunteers are passionate about maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of our town.

"However their efforts are being undermined by the council's lack of follow through on waste collection.

"This neglect not only disheartens the volunteers but also discourages community participation in environmental initiatives."

Mr Johnson's colleague, Green Party coordinator Pete Hopkinson argued that rising council tax should also mean more reliable services.

He said: "Residents are paying more in council taxes each year, yet the reliability of essential services like rubbish collection has declined.

"Instances of bin lorries failing to collect waste, despite being on the road, are unacceptable.

"It is imperative that Bolton Council prioritises these basic public services to ensure the community receives tangible benefits for their contributions."

Questions were raised at Bolton Town Hall (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Hanif Alli, of Halliwell, said council workers have also failed to pick up his own bin on Thorn Street and has spoken to other people nearby who have experienced similar issues.

He said: “It is unacceptable that Bolton Council continues to make excuses rather than address these issues head on.

“The council has a responsibility to support the community’s efforts in maintaining a clean environment and ensure reliable waste collection.

“Failing to do so sends a message that these efforts are not valued, which is entirely counterproductive.”

Cllr Alli took the issue to a full meeting of Bolton Council earlier this week.

In response, council cabinet member for the environment Cllr Richard Silvester said he had inherited a system “in a complete mess” but that major works were in place to improve services.

He said that councillors had already been briefed on the proposed changes and had received emails.

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But Cllr Silvester said the changes involved upgrading an aging fleet of bin collection wagons and improving routes around the borough.

He said this should mean all residents will receive collections on their scheduled days.

Cllr Silvester said: “If following implementation of the new rounds, residents are experiencing missed bin collections then I would advise members to report this on the council’s online portal or by calling the contact centre.”

He added: “If on the new rounds councillors are advised of missed bins that are repeated in the same area or the same household for example, councillors should advice the service route project support so that these issues can be addressed as soon as practically possible.”