STREETS across the borough have been left in a mess after waste collection workers allegedly ignored full bin bags put out for removal - despite a council promise that additional waste would be removed following disruptions to services last week.
Icy conditions last week meant that many services across the borough - including bin collections - were brought to a standstill as council workers were unable to make it to work and many streets became inaccessible due to snow and ice.
As such, the council sent out a message that on Tuesday at 6am not only would bin collections return as normal, but residents could also leave out an additional three tied bags of waste that did not include glass.
Residents were outraged then to return home that day and find that the sacks full of rubbish they had left out to be collected were abandoned, leaving many streets in disarray.
Coun Steve Bullcock, of the Kingstone ward, has been locking horns with the council over fly-tipping and waste collection since he was elected last year and says he’s heard of ‘lots of problems and complaints’ about bin bags not being collected from people in his area.
He told the Chronicle: “Residents are fuming after being advised to place waste in the additional bags that would be collected.
“This did not happen, with no reasons provided by the council on the night.
“Residents accept that there would be disruption given the ice bound pavements, but to leave the supplementary black bin bags has left a bitter taste with the people of Kingstone.
“Major issues have been reported in and around Raley Street, Racecommon Road and Crompton Avenue areas - there will be others.
“Towers Street and West View resemble an unofficial urban tip with a full selection of dustbins available for collection in addition to large amounts of fly tipped waste.
“Case in question Crompton Avenue - brown bins were due to be collected prior to the snow still haven’t been collected or emptied.
“Residents on Crompton Avenue contacted Barnsley Council customer services on numerous occasions so this area has to deal with both black bin bags and full brown bins from before the snow.”
Kingstone isn’t the only ward affected, with reports all over the borough.
Coun Jake Lodge, from the Worsbrough Ward, added: “I know that the weather was a challenge for waste management last week, but reports coming in from residents that the commitment to collect an additional three bags of waste isn’t being followed through on is incredibly frustrating.
“When these challenges come up, we need to be open with our communities, because no one wants to see a build-up of waste on our streets.
“I’ve contacted senior management to see what more can be done to resolve this issue for residents across Worsbrough and the wider borough.
“Like all residents, I’m waiting with bated breath to see what will be done to rectify this as soon as possible.”
A Barnsley Council spokesperson said: “If your bin was missed due to the snow and ice preventing us from making safe collections, we have instructed our crews to take up to three extra sacks of grey bin waste placed at the side of your grey bin.
“We’re working closely with our waste collection teams to ensure this happens where possible and would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while we complete this work.
“Any extra sacks must be securely tied and contain no glass so that our crews can collect them safely.
“The safety of our employees and residents is our priority.
“Due to the snow and ice last week, we are behind with collections and we’re prioritising the recovery of missed grey bins.
“There may be disruption to scheduled collections this week, but please put your waste and recycling bins out as normal and we will collect them as soon as possible.”
