Gloucester Docks business owner's anger as bins overflow with rubbish after two missed collections

The owner of a well loved waterside cafe in Gloucester has hit out after two failed bin collections left a waste area near his business overflowing with rubbish.

David Purchase, owner of  On Toast in Gloucester Docks, voiced his frustration with the pile-up of bin bags in the communal waste area of his building growing to what he calls "unacceptable" amounts.

After the general waste bins were not collected last month bin bags were overflowing and piling up around the area.

Because the lids on the bins wouldn't close this breached the council's policy meaning Amey were unable to collect for a second fortnight, making the situation worse for David and the rest of the tenants in the building.

Gloucester City Council employs Amey to provide environmental and waste services to the city that includes refuse and recycling collection across the city as well as street cleansing and grounds maintenance.

David said: "I'm annoyed about the fact that Amey are saying that the bins aren't closing and there's rubbish all over the floor - that is because they didn't collect it at the time they should have done.

"Then to say that its the management company of the block of flats that are to blame and that they have to clean up the mess is totally wrong because they created the mess themselves.

"There's a joint contract between the council and Amey and the tenants, where we agree to dispose of the bins properly and Amey collect them.

"But the council don't particularly want to be involved with this complaint and say 'we'll get Amey to give you a ring

"Where is the sense of responsibility when you have that situation?"

According to David, the rubbish being left has now caused a fly infestation to develop within the area of the building.

He says: "If you open the bins you have all these tiny flies that go into your apartment.

"They go for your food, you can't open the windows because of it.

"You have seagulls coming down to the rubbish now."

David says that the problem is affecting all tenants in the flats, including the portion of student accomodation.

He continued: "What a good impression to make for the students.

"It's absolutely appalling."

"It looks as though the council are quite happy to be the worst, dirtiest city in the South West and do not make any excuses for that either."

"They are not the responsible body here - the council should be ensuring that their contractors are carrying out the work that they are contracted to do."

"If they are fining residents for not putting down their lids, they should be fining Amey for not collecting them."

Gloucester City Council's Response

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said:

"The council has a strict closed lid and no side waste policy for communal waste collections. 

"This means that if our contractor could not get access to a communal bin because of excess waste or open bin lids, they would not empty them.

"We suggest that any issues with communal bins are taken up with the management company and we will liaise with them about any specific issues.

"Residents are reminded to make full use of the recycling facilities on offer to reduce the amount of waste in residual bins."