I thought we were trying to improve our image
I UNDERSTAND Mr Bye used consultants in the matter of recycling but am beginning to wonder if they knew the area, particularly Brixham.
If they didn't then they shouldn't have been consulted.
Does Mr Bye have any idea about the visual impact these bins are having? We have just received four large wheeled bins here on the main road into the centre of town with nowhere for them to go out of sight.
Up and down the road it is the same, as well as all the terraces of cottages. They look awful.
No doubt he will say it will save money, but what about the impact on the local economy if visitors see a scruffy town which looks like a bin depot?
What about the effect on our spirits? I thought we were trying to improve Brixham's image.
When the same system was brought in the first time round it was found unsuitable and seagull-proof bags were provided instead.
This has worked well where we are except that there was no recycling unless you did it yourself and went to the tip.
Doesn't Nick Bye know the wheeled bins have been tried here already?
As I see it, bags and boxes would be better. I'm all for recycling and cutting down on waste but the system just brought in isn't the answer here.
I asked the council about what to do with the bins and requested, at least, smaller wheeled bins which I hope I can get through to the garden.
They said they will be changed in the next week. But even these look awful if they can't be put out of sight.
Ruth Bowyer
New Road
Brixham
4 Comments
by Stig, Torbay
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 3:39PM
“And the people of Brixham didn't have bins before to store their rubbish...”
by JONES81, paignton
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 1:49PM
“Reference mention made that Mr Bye engaged with Consultants in the matter of recycling .One would certainly hope so.However within the Consultancy field ther are obviously differences of opinion.May I suggest that people log on to the website www.wyg.com/recycling review which contains a very detailed and recent review of the merits or otherwise of kerbside collections measured against co-mingled( bin ) collections.
Points arising from this review suggest,
1. Kerbside collections are not always the cheapest method.
2. Recycling rates are down and consequently landfill rates are up.
3. The majority of top performing Councils do not use kerbside collections.
4.Some Councils, a recent example being Harrow Council have opted out of kerbside collections for reasons also including health and safety and street cleanliness.
There is nothing in the report to suggest that the system now being introduced is anything but a backward step..”
by Andy, Brixham
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 1:47PM
“The following are some, my questions to Tor2 with their recycling manager's answers. They really do care - maybe not!
1. My house as with many in central Brixham has very limited outside amenity space.
Your house, as you have said, like so many in Brixham, is restricted by space, therefore we are asking you to store no more than you originally had. In fact the area in which you live were not issued wheeled bins, and this caused problems with escaping litter on the highway. Your property was issued with what we call, a seagull proof bag as a temporary measure. We have now moved into a new era of waste containment and recycling. This is so we can reduce the amount that ends up in landfills.
2. Many houses in central Brixham have no outside space at all; and many of these front directly onto public rights-of-way, steps, pavements or even direct onto the highway. Where are boxes to be stored? and if stored internally within the property, do you expect people to take them back inside after being left out for collection and getting covered in general debris, seagull mess and dog fouling, all of which currently occur to seagull bags left out?
As stated above properties have to store waste with the current system. This is designed to be more user friendly, and easier to keep clean, as the boxes take up no bigger footprint than a regular dust bin, there is no real issue, as you have previously had to store your seagull bags/blackbags of waste.
The recycling boxes stack inside each other, again you would have to do this previously.
3 Central Brixham is both a conservation area and heavily dependent on tourism. Is it aesthetically or environmentally acceptable that the place is covered in waste containers?
This is not an issue as visitors to the area fully understand that residents have to have their waste collected. This is no different than any other sea side town, because this operation is on a weekly basis and in the long run will help to reduce residual waste.
4. Is it acceptable that even where containers are left out only for the collection [and not all the time due to lack of storage space] steps and pavements will become a trip hazard - Would you please confirm that if anyone sues due to an accident caused by containers on footways or steps etc. it will be Tor2 who will accept liability? What about the partially sited and those of limited mobility who will find it difficult to avoid loose containers?
Under the Highways Act, wheeled bin containers/refuse are permitted on pavements during day of collection only. Residents have a duty of care to make sure that waste is presented properly and in accordance with the law.”
by Mike Westwood, Brixham
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 11:00AM
“I was over at Lands Court the other day talking to the managing agent that runs the flats and houses over there. She told me she was having talks with Torbay Counil on the new bin proposals as it was creating a health and safety issue, in particular with the flats.
The person at Torbay told her "we had not thought about flats".
It would appear they have not thought about anything, as the result is they are leaving the present system in situ over there.
Therefore if this is the case for Lands court, then there is an obvious argument for elsewhere too.”