Waste collection suspended for the rest of the week

Anyone who has already taken their waste out is kindly asked to remove it from the pavement and place it out for collection within the boundary of their property on their usual collection day next week. Meanwhile, crews who would usually work on kerbside collections are being redeployed onto gritting, ploughing and snow-shovelling duties, to help keep the Borough moving. They are also being assisted by crews from the Council’s highways contractor, Marlborough.  

Weather forecasters predict high winds tomorrow and a return of snow on Friday.  

Cllr Tony Cox, Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Regulatory Services, said: “It is clear that Southend-on-Sea has had the brunt of the snowfall in Essex and staff and contractors are working round the clock to ensure that we are able to carry on providing critical services.   “However, I fully endorse the difficult decision not to send out waste crews while side streets remain icy. Whilst main routes are generally clear thanks to our gritting efforts, many side roads in the Borough are narrow and double-parked, and are difficult to negotiate in a large vehicle even in good weather.  

“We have carefully assessed the conditions and are not prepared to take the high risk of crews or members of the public being injured through avoidable accidents, and wanted to make an early decision for the remainder of the week so that we can spread the message to the community.   “I appreciate that nobody wishes to have rubbish building up, but hope that everyone will understand that safety is the number one priority.”  

For more information and adverse weather advice, see www.southend.gov.uk/adverseweather