Mold residents left frustrated over lack of bin collections

A second new housing scheme says it has not had any bin collections from Flintshire County Council for months.

Princes Row is a terrace of seven homes converted from part of the former Savoy Restaurant off Chester Road in Mold. The houses are slightly off the main pathway with access down an alley next to Big Fish chip shop.

According to resident Michael Horder, who moved in in February with his son, none of the residents have had a bin collection from Flintshire County Council despite registering with the authority and having bins provided for their properties.

“The whole thing’s been a bit of a nightmare,” he said. “I was the second person to move in on this row.

“First the post office changed the postcode which then made getting internet sorted an issue – but the council could find us to send reminder letters about registering for council tax.

“That also meant when we moved in our bins and recycling bags were waiting for us. So they know we exist but our bins have never been collected no matter how many times we’ve called or written to the council’s Streetscene department.”

Mr Horder – who has a chronic condition that means he can’t drive – said the situation was frustrating.

“People have been moving in and that generates a lot of waste – large cardboard boxes for furniture and things – but it’s all just collected over time.

“The two houses next to me have about 17 bin bags outside them – it’s not their fault, they have just moved into new homes. The council should have been to take that rubbish away.

“I can’t drive but I have family in Gwernymynydd and they have been able to take some of my rubbish to Nercwys recycling centre and my parents in Chester have helped too but as more people have moved in – some from out of the area – they have suffered the same issues.”

As well as contacting the council via phone and email, Mr Horder has also been to Flintshire Connects to raise the issue in person.

“They agreed that the situation was terrible,” he said. “They promised to sort it out then offered me extra recycling bags. That doesn’t resolve the situation, it just means I’ve got more bags outside full of rubbish that hasn’t been collected.”

Mr Horder has even written to Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins for help – but to no avail.

“I’ve just been passed around in circles,” he said. “Everyone on this street is lovely and friendly – there’s even a family with a toddler right at the very end  – and it’s not nice for anyone.

“It is a public health issue. Whenever you complain the first thing they ask is are you putting the right items in the right bins. We definitely are, I actually believe you barely need your black bin if you are sorting it properly.

“But if none of it is ever collected then what can you do?”

Flintshire County Council was approached for a comment.

By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter